Water and Sewage Billing

What is included on my bill?
The items included on your utility bill are water, sewer, cleanwater and trash/recycling services.

Why is my bill so high? 
Water is a precious commodity in Southern California.  Our water comes from the Colorado River at Lake Havasu in Arizona through the Colorado Aqueduct and from the California Aqueduct from the northern part of California delta region.  Then the water is treated and transported by San Diego to our facilities here in the City of Del Mar. 

Conservation and water-wise use of water will lower your water bill.  Call the City of Del Mar Public Works for an informational brochure.   However, in the event that you consider your bill higher than usual or suspect a water leak, you should contact the Finance Department to request a re-read of your water meter.   If you feel the meter is providing the wrong reading, Public Works can remove your meter and have it calibrated.  This work would be at the residents expense.  If the meter is found defective, the charge will not apply.

NOTE:  Check for leaks by turning off all the water in your house.  Look at your water meter and, if the small dial is moving, water is being used on your property and may indicate a leak.  If this occurs, please contact your plumber.

I have questions about my utility bill.  What do I do?
Please contact the Finance Department at 858-755-9354 and we will review the bill with you. 

How do I sign up for auto pay?
Auto pay is a free service that allows you to pay for your utility service bill automatically from your bank account. The amount is deducted from your bank account approximately ten days after you are billed.  You will still continue to receive a utility bill indicating that your bill was paid through auto pay. 

In order to sign up for auto pay, you must fill out and submit an auto pay enrollment form along with a cancelled or voided check to the Finance Department. The forms can be downloaded from the website. Due to the bi-monthly billing cycle, it may take up to 30 days to process your request.  If you have any questions, please contact the Finance Department at (858) 755-9354.

Does the City of Del Mar accept credit card payments for utilities?
The City of Del Mar does accept Visa and MasterCard payments for utilities. Utility payments can be made automatically every billing cycle with either Visa or MasterCard credit cards.  In order to participate in this program, please complete the automatic credit card payment form, which you may obtain from the Finance Department or by downloading it from our website and bring it to the Finance Department with your credit card.

Whats a Backflow???
The definition of backflow is the undesired reversal of flow in a water system.  Commercial and other high risk water users must install and maintain a backflow prevention device to prevent used or contaminated water from re-entering the water system.  This device must be tested annually by a certified tester.

Public Works maintains an up-to-date list of qualified testers and includes this information to assist the property owner in choosing a tester who meets all requirements.  All backflow preventor test information is then maintained at the Public Works office for Health Department inspection.  If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Public Works Department at
(858) 755-3294.