Active Alerts

If you are experiencing a water, power, or sewer emergency or service problem call our 24-hour hotline at 3-1-1 or (415) 701-2311 from outside SF or log on at sf311.org. Learn more or review active service alerts.
Women and children on the couch looking at a laptop

Resources for Customers with Overdue Bills

Español | 中文 | Filipino | Tiếng Việt | عربي | Pусский | Samoano

Great News

The SFPUC applied for money to pay off our customers’ unpaid water/sewer utility bills from the pandemic, thanks to the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program.

What You Need to Know

  • We expect to receive funds to credit to eligible accounts this spring. No action is necessary for our customers. We will notify customers by letter if their account is eligible, and the updated balance will appear on customer bills.
  • This program only applies to debt accrued between June 16, 2021 and December 31, 2022. This program may not pay off all of a customer’s past due balance. Any past due bills that fall outside this time period are not eligible for relief. 

If you are behind on your bill, here are steps you can take.

  • Apply for the California Low Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP): LIHWAP is a federally funded program that offers a one-time payment of up to $15,000 to help customers with low incomes pay past or current residential water or sewer bills. This program ends March 31, so apply today. Learn more at sfpes.org/lihwap or by calling (831) 726-8817.

  • Sign up for a payment plan: You can avoid water shut offs and liens against your property by signing up for a payment plan and making regular payments. Plans with flexible repayment timelines are available, call 415-551-3000. We are here to help.
  • Sign up to get 25%- 40% off your SFPUC water sewer bills. If your bills are too high and you have a low income, this program may be able to help, sfpuc.org/CAPwater. 
  • Apply for short term assistance from Season of Sharing: Season of Sharing helps Bay Area households who are striving to overcome an unexpected challenge. Learn more at seasonofsharing.org/get-help.