Average Water Bill In California (With Some Facts)

In California, most households pay an average of  $65 per month and $780 per year on their water bill. This figure includes the cost of water, wastewater, and drainage services for domestic customers. It’s no secret that California has the highest cost of living in the country, and with that, comes a high water bill.

With more than 3 million Californians having their water cut off for non-payment in 2017 alone, many Californians are struggling to afford their bills. A study by the Pacific Institute found that residents in Southern California pay on average $100 a month for water and sewage.

Some Factors That Affects The Water Bills In CA

California is facing a water crisis and there is a need to act quickly. One of the reasons for this is that many Californians are wasting water by washing their cars during the summer.

The following factors may affect the water bills in California:

 1. The average temperature in different regions of CA

 2. The usage of greywater and direct wastewater for home-based landscaping, irrigation, and domestic purposes

 3. Predicted climate change in future years

4. Climate change; will bring changes in precipitation, snowfall, temperature, and other weather patterns. It will also mean higher evaporation rates across all regions of CA. Climate change always brings new challenges to urban areas like CA which are exposed to the highest temperatures.

5. You probably know that water bills tend to be expensive in California, especially because of the high base, taxes & fees which don’t change regardless of how much or how little you use.

6. Sewer is often coupled to the water bill with a base fee and treatment charges, not based on the actual sewage flow.

7. Customers who use more than their share of water.

8. Customers who not only use their supply but also over-use it (e.g., sprinklers).

9. Customers who use appliances like washing machines or dishwashers during off-peak hours.

10. The number of people living in a residence and the age of the occupants.

FAQs

Is Water Expensive In California?

California is not the only state where people in need of affordable drinking water struggle, but it is one of the most expensive.

California has an overabundance of water and a severe lack of affordable drinking water. The state’s high population density has led to a significant strain on its water supply system, which is, for the most part, made up of natural watersheds that were never meant to support such significant volumes of human and commercial activity.

With California’s population set to increase over the next decade, there will be even more strain put on the system unless action is taken now.

How Often Do You Pay Water Bill In California?

In California, the average person pays their water bill monthly. However, you may pay it more often if you live in a place that is particularly dry or have a lot of features.

California has some of the strictest water rules in the world and they are not about to change anytime soon.

While there are different rates for different people, one thing that remains true is that everyone will need to pay their water bills eventually.

What City Is The Cheapest To Live In California?

To find out the cheapest city in California, we looked at the cost of living index. It is calculated as the average cost of goods and services divided by average income. The cities with a lower cost of the living index were determined to be cheaper.

Monterey was found to be the cheapest city in California with an index at 0.70 while San Jose ranked second as it had a 0.80 index.

How Can I Lower My Water Bill In California?

There are a few ways to lower your water bill. One popular method is to use a low-flow toilet.

Depending on your usage, you could look into installing a low-flow toilet or sensor-controlled irrigation system. You can also consider switching to a rainwater harvesting system or ask for a rebate on your water bill. Depending on what you decide to do, the savings can be substantial.

Many people are finding ways to reduce their water use and bills while still living an active life in California’s year-round climate.

Does Landlord Have To Pay For Water In California?

In general, landlords are not required to pay for water or electricity as they are considered part of the building. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if the landlord has added meters or if the property has a well, then he is expected to pay for water and electricity.

The law in California specifically states that landlords must provide “reasonable” hot and cold water at all times for residential units in their buildings (California Civil Code Section 811). This might seem like an easy answer, but there are complications when it comes to what qualifies as “reasonable.”

All tenants should be aware of their right to water in the event of a power outage. If your landlord doesn’t take care of this, they could be held liable for any damages incurred by you or your family.