Water Service Shut-Offs and Liens

On September 28, 2018, the California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 998 (Stat. 2018, Ch. 891), which amended the California Health and Safety Code to include a new chapter, California Health and Safety Code Section 116990 et seq., known as the "California Water Shutoff Protection Act" (the Act). The Act requires water systems like the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to adopt, no later than February 1, 2020, a written policy on discontinuation of residential water service for nonpayment that includes a plan for deferred or reduced payments, alternative payment schedules, a formal mechanism for a customer to contest or appeal a bill, and a telephone number for a customer to call to discuss options to avoid discontinuation of residential service for nonpayment. Accordingly, SFPUC adopted a Policy on Discontinuation of Residential Water Service for Nonpayment to comply with the Act. 

Translated Policies on Discontinuation of Residential Water Service for Nonpayment

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We offer bill relief programs for customers behind on their bills.

Extenuating circumstances are events that occurred within one year from application date that impacted the customer of record or a household member.

Customers may choose a payment plan to make it easier to pay their updated bills. Payment plans let you spread out payments over several months, giving you more flexibility.

Customers interested in enrolling in a payment plan can complete the online payment plan application:

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Learn more about the bill relief programs we offer.