The Ultimate Guide to Paying Your San Bernardino Water Bill in 2025

Are you tired of scrambling to pay your SBMWD water bill at the last minute? I’ve been there too! After living in San Bernardino for years, I’ve tried pretty much every payment method available. Today I’m sharing everything you need to know about paying your San Bernardino Municipal Water Department bill – from online options to mail-in payments.

Quick Overview of SBMWD Bill Payment Options

Before diving into details here’s a quick look at all the ways you can pay your water bill in San Bernardino

• Online eBiller – View account info, go paperless, 24/7 access (FREE)
• Credit/Debit Card – Online or phone payments ($3.25 fee per transaction)
• E-Check Quick Pay – One-time payments from checking/savings (FREE)
• Automatic Bill Payment – Monthly auto-deduction from bank account (FREE)
• Mail – Send check or money order to P.O. Box 710
• In-Person – Cash, check, money order at Customer Service office
• Payment Drop Box – Located at south side of Customer Service building

Online Payment Options: The Most Convenient Way

SBMWD Online eBiller – My Personal Favorite

After trying all methods I gotta say the Online eBiller is hands-down the best option. I switched to this last year and haven’t looked back since!

The SBMWD Online eBiller (available at https://onlinebiller.com/sbmwd/) lets you:

• View your account information anytime
• Access copies of previous statements
• Sign up for email bill notifications
• Go completely paperless
• Access your bills 24/7 from your computer or phone
• Make free payments using your bank account

The enrollment process is super quick. I was able to set everything up in about 5 minutes. You’ll need your account number and service address to get started.

Important Update: SBMWD recently transitioned to a new billing system, and account numbers have changed. If you’re enrolled in Online eBilling, your profile has been updated with your new account number. If using QuickPay, make sure to use the new account number from bills dated after July 22, 2024.

E-Check Quick Pay – For One-Time Payments

If you don’t want to create an account, the E-Check Quick Pay option lets you make one-time payments with no fees using your checking or savings account. It’s perfect when you just need to make a quick payment without the hassle of logging in.

Credit Card Payments

SBMWD has partnered with ACI Payments Inc. to offer credit card payments online or by phone. The only downside is the $3.25 processing fee for each transaction.

To pay by credit card:

1. Visit the ACI Payments website
2. Select your payment option
3. Enter your account information
4. Pay the bill amount plus the processing fee

You can also pay by phone at 1-877-238-6048.

Automatic Bill Payment – Never Miss a Due Date Again

This was a game-changer for me when I kept forgetting to pay my bill! The Automatic Bill Payment program deducts your monthly water bill automatically from your checking or savings account.

Key benefits:

• It’s completely FREE
• You still receive a monthly statement showing your water usage
• Payments are deducted about 19 days after billing
• No more late fees or shutoff notices!

Just a heads up – it might take up to a month for Automatic Bill Payment to activate, so continue making payments until you see “Auto-Pay Do Not Pay” on your next bill.

To sign up:

1. Visit the SBMWD Online eBiller
2. Create an account if you haven’t already
3. Set up Automatic Bill Payment with your bank information

Traditional Payment Methods

Paying by Mail

If you prefer the old-school approach (like my dad still does), you can mail your payment to:

SBMWDP.O. Box 710San Bernardino CA, 92402

Remember: Don’t mail past due payments! They probably won’t arrive in time to prevent late fees or service disconnection.

In-Person Payments

The Customer Service office is located at 1350 S. E Street, San Bernardino, CA, 92408.

Hours of operation:

• Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Friday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

They accept cash, cashier’s checks, personal checks, and money orders – but NO credit/debit cards in person (weird, I know).

After-Hours Payment Depository

There’s a payment drop box located on the south side of the Customer Service building. Just know that payments made after 7:00 AM via this box will be processed the next business day.

Important Things to Remember About Your SBMWD Bill

Customer Service Contact Information

If you have questions about your bill or payments:

• Phone: (909) 384-5095
• Visit: 1350 S. E Street, San Bernardino, CA, 92408
• Emergency line: (909) 384-5141

Who Can Use Auto Pay?

The Auto Pay option is available to:

• All residential accounts
• Selected business accounts billed by SBMWD
• Accounts in good standing (no existing payment arrangements)
• Accounts with no more than one returned check within the last 12 months

Avoiding Disconnection

E-check/Online QuickPay payments are NOT accepted for accounts that have already been disconnected for non-payment. If your service has been shut off, you’ll need to pay with cash or money order at the Customer Service office, or use a credit/debit card by phone at 1-877-238-6048 or online at ACI Payments.

My Personal Experience with SBMWD Bill Payment Options

When I first moved to San Bernardino, I was constantly forgetting to pay my water bill. I tried mailing checks, but sometimes I’d forget to buy stamps or miss the due date. Then I tried paying in person, but the lines could get pretty long during lunch hours.

I finally signed up for the Online eBiller and set up automatic payments. Now I just get an email notification when my bill is ready, and the payment gets deducted automatically. It’s been a huge stress-reliever!

One time when my bank account was temporarily low, I used the Quick Pay option from my savings account instead of my regular checking account. It worked perfectly, and there were no fees involved.

Understanding Your SBMWD Bill

Your water bill includes several important pieces of information:

• Account number (recently changed after July 2024)
• Service address
• Billing date
• Payment due date
• Current charges
• Previous balance
• Water usage history

If you ever see “Auto-Pay Do Not Pay” on your bill, that means your automatic payment is set up correctly and will be processed about 19 days after the billing date.

Tips for Lowering Your Water Bill

Since we’re talking about paying water bills, might as well discuss how to lower them!

1. Check for leaks – SBMWD has a guide on their website for checking leaks
2. Install water-efficient fixtures – Low-flow showerheads and toilets make a big difference
3. Water your lawn less frequently – This is a huge water-saver in our dry climate
4. Report water waste – Help the community conserve water

Common Questions About SBMWD Bill Payments

What if I’m a new customer?

New customers attempting to make a deposit payment online can visit the ACI Payments Inc. website and select the “Utility Deposit” payment option, or call 1-877-238-6048 to pay by phone.

How long does it take for online payments to process?

E-Check payments typically process within 1-2 business days. Credit card payments process almost immediately.

Can I set up paperless billing?

Yes! When you sign up for the Online eBiller, you can choose the paperless option. You’ll receive email notifications when your bill is ready to view online.

What happens if a payment is rejected?

If an automatic payment is rejected due to insufficient funds, you’ll need to make a payment manually and may incur fees from both your bank and SBMWD.

Final Thoughts

Managing your San Bernardino water bill doesn’t have to be complicated. With so many payment options available, you can choose the method that works best for your lifestyle and preferences.

Personally, I highly recommend the Online eBiller with automatic payments – it’s free, convenient, and gives you complete access to your account history. But whatever method you choose, just make sure to pay before the due date to avoid any late fees or service interruptions!

The next Water Board Meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2025, at 9:30 AM if you have concerns about water rates or service that you’d like to address with the board.