Paying Your Utility Bill

Most properties in Hayward receive water and sewer services from the City of Hayward.

To start service, please call (510) 583-4600 or visit our Water & Sewer Service page. If your property’s utilities are provided by another entity, please check our Utilities page for more information.

Understanding Your Utility Bill

Utility bills are sent out bimonthly and have recently been redesigned to offer:

  • QR Codes for quick access to online payment through our Water Customer Portal (for water accounts) and Sewer Customer Portal (for sewer-only accounts).
  • Usage Comparison Chart showing your water use over the previous year.
  • Simplified Layout for easier readability and clarity.

Refer to the diagrams below for an explanation of each section of your bill (click to enlarge):

Front and back images of the new Hayward Water & Sewer bill

BILL FRONT

BILL BACK

1. Customer account information: This account number, including the dash, will be needed to register for the online Customer Portal.11. QR code to view and pay your bill online using the Water Customer Portal.
2. Unpaid balance: Amount still owed from previous bill.12. Direct link to pay your bill using the Water Customer Portal.
3. Current charges: Charges owed for the current bill period only.13. Customers will soon be able to pay with cash at locations other than City Hall, including Walmarts and select other retail locations. More details coming soon.
4. Total amount due: Total amount owed to the Hayward Water System as of the bill date.14. Those who do not wish to pay online in the new customer portal may continue doing so in person at City Hall or by mail.
5. Service charge: All water customers are charged a flat Service Charge based on their water meter size.15. QR code that takes you right to this webpage. 
6. Excise Tax: The Emergency Services Facilities Tax (ESFT/Excise Tax) is a general tax that was adopted by City Council in 1990 to retrofit or strengthen city facilities against earthquake damage.16. List of commonly requested City phone numbers. 
7. Meter usage history: See how your water usage compares to the same period in the prior year.17. Promotional graphic for the new Water Customer Portal. 
8.  All water customers are charged for the amount of water they consume. 
9. Residential customers pay a flat rate for sewer service depending on their property type and amount of water consumed. Non-residential customers pay based on their business type. 
10. QR Code to view and pay your bill online with the Water Customer Portal. 

Paying Your Utility Bill

You have several convenient options to pay your bill:

  1. In-person at City Hall:

In-person payments can be made at City Hall, 777 B Street, on the first floor in the Revenue/Cashier office Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. excluding holidays. 

  1. Online:

Access our Water & Sewer Portals to log in or register. Through the portals, you can view hourly water usage, set up a water budget, enable leak alerts, and choose autopay and paperless billing. Accepted payment methods include e-check, American Express, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, PayPal, PayPal Credit, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay—all fee-free.
 
 
Please note: For accounts that are billed on a bimonthly basis for water, sewer and emergency services facillity tax charges, use the Water Customer Portal. If you are only billed bimonthly for Sewer Services, use the Sewer Only Customer Portal.

  1. By Phone:

Call (510) 583-4636 to pay using a debit or credit card without any fees.

  1. Self-Service Kiosks:

  • Outside City Hall: Available 24/7, this fee-free kiosk is located at 777 B Street.
  • Inside City Hall: Located on the first floor near the guard station and available weekdays during public hours.
Both kiosks support English and Spanish, offer proof of payment receipts, and accept cash (excess cash credited to your account).
 
Flip through our how-to guide below: 

  1. By Mail:

Send checks (no cash) to:
Hayward Water System
PO Box 6004, Hayward, CA 94540
 

Please allow adequate mailing time to avoid late fees, as postmarks are not accepted.

Help Paying Your Water Bill

If you are behind on your water bills, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible at (510) 583-4600 or HSS@hayward-ca.gov.

If you need assistance paying down your bill, you may also be eligible for certain City, State, or Federal assistance programs:

  • Set up a payment arrangement. Even paying a little bit of your bill periodically will reduce the balance due and make getting back to “normal” easier. Call (510) 583-4600 or email HSS@hayward-ca.gov to set up a payment arrangement today.
  • Apply for the City's low-income program to receive discounts and waivers for certain garbage, water, and sewer rates. Download the application here
Questions about your water bill? Contact the Revenue Division at (510) 583-4600 or hss@hayward-ca.gov.