Minimum Bill Charges
Active accounts, with or without consumption, are subject to the bi-monthly Water Meter Flat Charge and Sewer Flat Charge.
Track Your Water Usage
View your near real-time water use from your smart meter, get alerts about possible leaks, and track your consumption through the WaterSmart web portal. WaterSmart is here to help you save water during California’s drought. Register today.
Annual Water Service Discontinuation
In accordance with the Water Shut-off Protection Act (SB998), you may view the number of residential service discontinuations for inability to pay below.
| Year | Number of Discontinuations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 83 |
| 2022 | 82 |
| 2021 | 0 - No discontinuations performed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Water Shut-off Moratorium issued in April 2020) |
| 2020 | 0 - No discontinuations performed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Water Shut-off Moratorium issued in April 2020) |
How to Pay Your Utility Bill
Do you work a regular 9-5 and often find yourself at City Hall during your lunch time to pay your utility bills? Or perhaps, just missed the payment window before they closed for the day? In an effort to expand the payment of utility bills with cash 24/7, the City partnered with PayNearMe (PDF), a Silicon Valley company early March 2020. By May 2020, depending on the billing cycle of the bimonthly invoice, utility customers can now pay their bimonthly utility bill at 8 local CVS Pharmacy and 7-Eleven locations and thousands of locations nationwide at no extra cost. While shopping at CVS or 7-Eleven, utility customers can pay their bills at the cashier with the barcode printed on their bill. They do not have to stand in a separate line. Real-time integration allows payment to be received by the City within minutes. There's also no risk of overpayment - utility customers cannot make a payment when they have no invoice or a zero balance.
The City's utility customers can also pay their bills online or by calling 844-678-4546 using a credit card or e-check, mail in a check, or at City Hall Monday through Friday between 8 am and 5 pm except for City observed Holidays.
Utility Payment Assistance
Per the Council-approved Discontinuance of Residential Water Service Policy (PDF), the City will offer payment extensions or other alternative payment arrangements. Further, for utility payment assistance, utility customers can apply for the Milpitas Assistance Program or non-profit organizations identified on the Housing Resources webpage (please scroll down).
Avoid Water Service Shut-off Due to Non-Payment
To avoid Water Service Shut-Off, please request for Alternative Payment Arrangement or Payment Extension to settle the outstanding balance by emailing Finance Customer Service or calling 408-586-3100 within 13 days from the Final Notice Date.
Alternative Payment Arrangements
Alternative Payment Arrangements are for customers who need extra time to pay their past due balance over an alternative payment schedule of up to twelve months. The purpose of these arrangements is to protect the health and well-being of low-income families. Physically disabled persons, and persons with life-threatening medical conditions by helping them avoid water shut-off due to non-payment. As such, Alternative Payment Arrangements require both the following certifications:
- Certification of Primary Care Provider - This form (Form 998 a) certifies that discontinuation of water service poses a serious threat to the health and safety of residents living at the service address.
- Certification of Financial Hardship - This form (Form 998 b or 998 b-2) certifies that the residents living at the service address are unable to pay for water within the City of Milpitas’ normal billing cycle.
Instructions on How to Obtain an Alternative Payment Arrangement
- Call Customer Service at 408-586-3100 to get the Form appropriate to your status as described above or any Alternative Payment Arrangement information. Forms are available for download from this website page/screen.
- Complete Certification of Primary Care Provider (follow the instructions on the form), sign and date the form.
- Complete Certification of Financial Hardship (follow the instructions on the form), and sign and date the form. Either one of the forms (Form 998 b or Form 998 b-2) will suffice the Financial Hardship requirements.
- Submit both forms to the City of Milpitas, Fiscal Services/Utility in-person or via email
- Upon receipt of the Form, City of Milpitas, Fiscal Services/Utility will contact you within 7 days with the result of the Alternative Payment Arrangement request.
Payment Extensions
If approved by the City, a customer’s payment of his or her unpaid balance may be temporarily extended for a period not to exceed three months after the balance was originally due. Payment Extensions require the following Request for Utility Bill Payment Extension. This form (Form 998 c) summarizes the customer account, utility bill, and request for a payment extension.
Instructions on How to Obtain a Payment Extension Arrangement
- To request for Payment Extension, please email Customer Service or call 408-586-3100.
- Complete the Request for Payment Extension (follow the instructions on the form), and sign and date the form.
- Upon receipt of the request, the City of Milpitas, Fiscal Services/Utility will contact you within 7 days with the result of the Payment Extension Arrangement request.
Note: Refer to section 6 of the City of Milpitas Policy on Discontinuance of Residential Water Service for the above payment arrangements. Download the policy from this website page/screen or call Customer Service at 408-586-3100.
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program
Beginning June 2022, if you need assistance paying down any remaining water debt, you may be eligible for other State or Federal assistance programs. One of those programs is the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), which will be administered through the California Department of Community Services and Development. For more information on LIHWAP and to learn more about the eligibility requirements, visit the California Department of Community Services and Development website.
Water Shut-Off & Restoration Related to Unpaid Bills
On October 18, 2022, the City Council approved the Discontinuance of Residential Water Service Policy. The Policy, which is also available in several languages outlines the City’s billing and collection procedure for unpaid bills. It describes the process for shutting off water services due to unpaid bills, notification of utility customers regarding unpaid bills, and restoration of service after the bill is paid. It also defines procedures to contest or appeal a water bill, extensions or other alternative payment arrangements, protections available to qualified low-income customers, procedures for tenants to become a customer of the city under specified circ*mstances, and related matters.
