Click here to see if we serve your address.
Click here for an explanation of the components that make up your water bill.
Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to read your meter.
If completing the online start service form, your request will be processed in two business days. If calling to start service, your request will be processed the next business day. Service can be started the same day or after hours for the additional fee of $100.
If you see an increase in your water bill it is likely due to one of a number of factors rather than a billing error. Water consumption varies from month to month especially for outdoor water use, such as landscape irrigation. An increase may also indicate a problem with your system, for example a leaking plumbing fixture or a malfunctioning automatic sprinkler or drip system. Monitoring your water use on WaterSmart is the best way to stay informed on any monthly fluctuations.
As a low water user, there may be several things in play that will affect the number of units you are billed each month, such as climate, number of days in a billing period, and even what we call the low user phenomena. Many of our very low water users can be affected by low user phenomena. It can best explained in this manner. We only bill customers for full units of water (one single unit = 1,000 gallons). For a low user, this is a lot of water and takes some time for 1,000 gallons to add up. So, let’s say you use 1,999 gallons of water during a given billing period and then the billing period closes. Your bill would be for only 1,000 gallons (one unit) as we never round up your usage. So on the very first day of the next billing period, the 999 gallons carry over. Then let’s say, that on the very first day of the new billing period, you use one single gallon. With the carry over of 999 gallons plus the one gallon you just used, it now appears that you used one unit on the first day.
An account setup fee of $14 will appear on your first bill. This fee is used to cover costs associated with opening and closing your account. When you close your account, no additional account closing fees will incur.
This is a monthly fixed charge, which appears on your monthly bill, is based on your meter size. It covers a portion of each customer’s share of maintaining the District’s operations and system infrastructure.
A minimum $150 deposit is placed on all residential accounts. However, the deposit may be waived if you can obtain a “letter of credit” from a previous or current utility company prior to your first day of water service – request a letter from SDG&E here. The letter needs to show satisfactory payment, which is defined as:
- No more than 1 late charge in 12 months
- No returned payment charges
- No disconnections for non-payment
- No bankruptcies or liens filed
The deposit will be included with your first bill. If the letter of credit is received prior to the first day of receiving water service, by fax to 760-745-4235 or e-mail to customerservice@rinconwater.org or in person at 1920 North Iris Lane, no deposit will be billed. Deposits for residential accounts will either be returned to the customer after maintaining a satisfactory payment history for 24 months or will be applied to the closing bill when the account is closed, whichever occurs first.
If you have just moved into your residence, you need to call us to set up your water service in order to establish a new account. If you are not a new Rincon Water customer and you don’t have water flow, check on the following:
- Have you had any landscape projects or home repairs performed by someone else? Often these types of projects require that the water be turned off; either at the shut-off valve located near your house or the shut-off valve located on the customer side of the water meter.
- Did you make your payment? If we have not received payment on your account by the due date your service may be interrupted until payment is received.
- None of these apply to you? If you and your neighbors are experiencing the same problem, there may be an outage in your area. Contact a Customer Service Representative to report it.
No, we typically do not estimate our customers’ use. If you have opened your water meter box and have seen the meter covered with dirt, you may think that your meter is no longer being read. Don’t worry, we’re still reading your meter and your monthly water bill is reflecting your actual use. The reason that there is dirt on your meter is that we now receive meter reads by radio. You still have the same mechanical meter as in the past, but now a little radio sends us hourly “snapshots” of the reading on the meter. (If for some reason your radio is not transmitting this data, we will manually read your meter once a month until the radio is replaced.) Our meters are not “smart” like the ones you may have heard about in the news. Ours do not calculate and are not digital smart meters.
When a line breaks or during repairs, shutting off your water quickly and effectively can save you money and avoid damage to your home. Generally, there are three places to turn water off.
- At the appliance. Like the sink or toilet, there is a small valve that can be quickly turned off. Be careful! They are not meant for frequent use. If not used in a while turning these valves may cause a leak or worse, break the valve.
- At the home shut off valve. This is located near the foundation of your home at the place where the water pipe enters the house. Often, it looks similar to the picture above. This is normally a gate valve and will work for most in-house emergencies. This valve does not control your irrigation lines and it will not control your fire sprinklers (if your home has a fire suppression system). Each of those systems have their own valves that are specific to each property.
- Near the water meter. There is a valve on each side of the meter – the valve on the homeowner side is yours and so is the service line from that point all the way to your home. You may want to ensure that you can get to this valve and turn off your water, just for practice. But it will turn off all water to your home, including your irrigation. The other valve (on the street side or input side of the meter) is ours, please do not operate that valve or valves in the street. Should your situation warrant these valves or street valves to be operated, please call us first. We will respond during emergencies or if it can wait, we will work with you to make an appointment based on your schedule.