Are you tired of standing in long lines to pay your water bill? Do you sometimes forget about your water bill due date, resulting in late fees? The San Bernardino Municipal Water Department (SBMWD) offers convenient online payment options that can save you time and help you avoid those pesky late charges.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about SBMWD bill pay options, from setting up online payments to troubleshooting common issues. Let’s dive right in!
What is SBMWD?
Before we get into the payment details, let’s clarify what SBMWD is for those who might be new to San Bernardino. The San Bernardino Municipal Water Department is the public utility responsible for providing water services to residents and businesses in San Bernardino, California. They handle water supply, billing, and customer service for their service area.
SBMWD Bill Pay Options
SBMWD offers several convenient ways to pay your water bill:
1. Online eBilling
SBMWD’s Online eBilling system is probably the most convenient way to manage your water bill. With this service, you can:
- View bill details online 24/7
- Save or print copies of bills anytime
- Opt for paperless billing
- Make one-time payments with a bank account (with no fees)
- Set up automatic payments with a bank account
- View multiple SBMWD accounts with one username and password
- Sign up for emailed bill notifications
To access this service, you need to create an account on the SBMWD Online eBilling platform.
2. QuickPay Option
If you don’t want to create an account, SBMWD offers a QuickPay option This allows you to
- Make payments without enrollment
- View your current account balance
- Make one-time payments with a bank account (no fees)
This is perfect for those who just want to make occasional payments without creating a permanent account.
3. In-Person Payments
If you prefer the traditional way, you can still pay your bill in person at the SBMWD office located at:
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
1350 South “E” Street
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Their office hours are:
- Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
4. Phone Payments
For those who prefer to pay by phone, you can call (909) 384-5095 during their normal business hours or use their automated payment system at 1-877-238-6048.
5. Mail Payments
You can also mail your payment to their office address. Just be sure to include your account number with your payment.
How to Enroll in SBMWD Online eBilling
Setting up an account for online bill pay is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Visit the SBMWD Online eBilling website
- Click on “Enroll For Online eBilling”
- You’ll need to provide:
- Your account number (found on your paper bill)
- Service address
- Email address
- Personal information for account verification
- Create a username and password
- Choose your billing preferences (paperless or continue receiving paper bills)
- Set up payment methods if desired
Once your account is set up, you can log in anytime to view and pay your bills.
Setting Up AutoPay
One of the best features of the SBMWD Online eBilling system is the ability to set up automatic payments, which ensures you never miss a payment. Here’s how:
- Log in to your SBMWD Online eBilling account
- Navigate to “Edit AutoPay” in your account settings
- Choose your payment method:
- Bank Account (checking or savings)
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Enter your payment information:
- For bank accounts: account holder name, bank name, account type, routing number, and account number
- For cards: cardholder name, address, card number, expiration date, and security code
- Choose when you want payments to be processed
- Review and confirm your settings
When setting up AutoPay, keep in mind that it will start with your next billing cycle. The system will display a message saying “Autopay will start next cycle” to confirm this.
Account Balance and Payment History
Once you’ve created an Online eBilling account, you’ll have easy access to your:
- Current account balance
- Payment history
- Past bills
- Water usage information (if available)
This information can be helpful for budgeting and tracking your water consumption over time.
Important Notice About Account Numbers
SBMWD recently transitioned to a new billing system, and as a result, utility account numbers have changed. If you’re an existing Online eBilling customer, your profile has been updated with your new utility account number automatically.
If you’re making a one-time payment via the QuickPay option, make sure you’re using your new account number, which should be reflected on bill statements dated after July 22, 2024. If you’re unsure about your account number, you can contact their Customer Service team at (909) 384-5095.
Paperless Billing Option
Switching to paperless billing not only helps the environment but also gives you faster access to your bills. When you opt for paperless billing with SBMWD, you can choose to:
- Receive the entire bill as a PDF attachment in your email
- Get a bill summary via email with a link to view the full bill online
To switch to paperless billing:
- Log in to your Online eBilling account
- Go to Edit Account Preferences
- Select “I will use paperless billing”
- Choose your preferred email notification option
- Save your changes
Security Considerations
SBMWD takes security seriously. They never send emails requesting sensitive information like your social security number, date of birth, or driver’s license number. All updates to your personal information should be made by logging into your account.
Also, it’s worth noting that when you’re setting up payment information, the system requires you to re-enter important numbers like routing numbers and account numbers to prevent errors.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Forgot Username/Password
If you’ve forgotten your login credentials, you can click on “Forgot Username/Password” on the login page. You’ll need to provide some identifying information to recover your account.
Payment Didn’t Process
If your payment didn’t go through, check the following:
- Make sure your account information is correct
- Verify that you have sufficient funds
- Check if there were any system outages (you can contact customer service to confirm)
Special Situation: Disconnected Accounts
Important note: E-check/Online QuickPay payments are NOT accepted for accounts that have been disconnected for non-payment. If your service has been disconnected, you’ll need to make a payment using:
- Cash or money order in person at the Customer Service office
- Credit/Debit card by phone at 1-877-238-6048
- Online credit card payment at their payment portal
Customer Feedback and Support
SBMWD values customer feedback and has a brief customer service survey available. If you experience any difficulties with your online payments or account, you can contact their Customer Service at (909) 384-5095 during normal business hours.
Benefits of Using SBMWD Online Bill Pay
Why should you consider using the online payment system instead of traditional methods? Here are some compelling reasons:
- Convenience: Pay your bills anytime, anywhere – no stamps, no lines, no hassle.
- Time-saving: Manage your account in minutes instead of mailing payments or visiting the office.
- Payment history: Easy access to your past payments and bills.
- Paperless option: Reduce paper waste and help the environment.
- Automatic payments: Never worry about late fees again.
- Multiple accounts: Manage all your SBMWD accounts from one login.
- No fees: SBMWD doesn’t charge extra fees for electronic payments from bank accounts.
My Personal Experience with SBMWD Bill Pay
I’ve been using SBMWD’s online payment system for over two years now, and I can honestly say it’s been a game-changer. Before switching to online payments, I occasionally forgot to mail my payment on time, resulting in late fees. With AutoPay set up, I haven’t had a late payment since!
The system is pretty user-friendly, though it took me a few minutes to navigate it the first time. The paperless billing option has also been great – I no longer have to keep track of paper bills, and I can easily access past bills when I need them for my records.
Final Thoughts
The San Bernardino Municipal Water Department’s online bill pay system offers a convenient, secure, and environmentally friendly way to manage your water bills. Whether you prefer making occasional one-time payments or setting up automatic payments, their system has options to suit your needs.
If you haven’t already tried their online services, I highly recommend giving them a shot. The time you’ll save and the convenience you’ll gain is well worth the few minutes it takes to set up an account.
Have you used SBMWD’s online bill pay system? What was your experience like? Do you have any tips for other users? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a fee for paying my SBMWD bill online?
A: No, there are no fees when paying with a bank account through the SBMWD Online eBilling or QuickPay systems.
Q: Can I pay multiple accounts with one login?
A: Yes, you can view and pay multiple SBMWD accounts with a single username and password through the Online eBilling system.
Q: What if I don’t receive my bill?
A: If you’re enrolled in Online eBilling, you can log in and view your bill even if you don’t receive an email notification. If you’re not enrolled, contact Customer Service at (909) 384-5095.
Q: How long does it take for my online payment to process?
A: Electronic payments typically process within 1-2 business days.
Q: Can I schedule future payments?
A: Yes, you can schedule payments for future dates through the Online eBilling system.
Q: What payment methods are accepted online?
A: You can pay using a checking account, savings account, credit card, or debit card depending on the payment option you choose.
Remember, staying on top of your water bill payments helps avoid service interruptions and unnecessary fees. The online system makes this easier than ever!
Available to All Residents
Auto Pay / Bank Drafting is open to all residential and selected business accounts billed by the City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department. Your account must be in good standing and not subject to other existing payment arrangements, with a history of no more than one returned check within the last 12 consecutive months.
SBMWD bill payments can be mailed to:
SBMWD P.O. Box 710 San Bernardino CA, 92402
Please do not mail past due payments.
Make a one-time payment with no fee using your checking or savings account. Its quick, easy and saves you money. Put aside your checkbook and stamps and visit the SBMWD Online eBiller today.
Pay your monthly water bill automatically for free with the San Bernardino Municipal Water Departments Automatic Bill Payment program. Continue to receive a monthly paper statement showing your water usage and the current charges the department will debit from the checking or savings account on file. Payments are deducted approximately 19 days after the billing date.
It may take up to a month for Automatic Bill Payment to activate. Please continue to make payments until “Auto-Pay Do Not Pay” is displayed on your next bill. Proof of payment will appear on your bank statement and on your next billing statement. Sign up online at the SBMWD Online eBiller
