I want to:

• Pay my sewer bill
• Understand my sewer bill & rate changes starting July 1
• Know when to expect my sewer bill
• Sewer billing policies & forms (low income, vacant homes, new customer rates, etc.)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Reduce your sewer bill & conserve water - helpful links
• Contact us

Pay My Sewer Bill

• Do you get a bill from the City of Chula Vista? Yes: Please visit the Finance Department to pay your sewer bill. For questions on your bill please call 619-691-5117 or email CVSewer@chulavistaca.gov.
• Do you get a bill from the Otay Water District with City of Chula Vista Sewer charges? Yes: Please visit the Otay Water District to pay your sewer bill. For questions on the sewer charges please call: 619-476-5380 or email wastewater@chulavistaca.gov.
• Sewer charges may be included on your tax bill.  Click here for a map of properties charged for sewer through the tax bill. For questions on the sewer portion of your tax bill please call 866-504-2067 or email contact@spicercg.com

Know when to expect my sewer bill

• Sweetwater Authority customers (Western Chula Vista) receive a bill every other month from the City's Finance Department.
• Otay Water District Customers (Eastern Chula Vista) are billed monthly through the Otay Water District.
• Property Tax Bill customers (Southern Chula Vista) see a line item on their annual property tax bill.
• If you do not currently receive a sewer bill and are connected to the sewer, please contact us immediately at (619) 476-5380 or wastewater@chulavistaca.gov.

Understand my sewer bill

The sewer service charge was established by the City Council in 1962 to pay for the operation and maintenance of the sewer collection system and sewage treatment. All residents connected to the City’s sewer system pay the service charge.

The City provides sewer service to about 50,000 residential and commercial customers. Monthly sewer rates charged to system users (customers) are the primary source of revenue to operate and maintain the sewer system and are used for this purpose. Sewer rate revenue provides funding for operation and maintenance of City-owned sewer collection and conveyance facilities, capital projects, debt service, administration, as well as costs related to prudent long-term operation and financial management of the utility system, such as maintaining adequate reserves and planning for contingencies. Since the City does not operate its own wastewater treatment facilities, sewer rate revenue is also used to pay for wastewater treatment provided by the City of San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater Authority (Metro).

On April 26, 2022, City Council approved the 2021 Sewer Rate Study, a financial rate study completed by an independent consultant to evaluate the financial condition of the sewer utility, specifically the ability of current sewer rates to generate sufficient revenue to cover the costs of the sewer utility.   The new sewer rates are included in the Master Fee Schedule. Not included below are the Storm Drain Fees that are applied with the sewer fees.  Details are the Storm Drain Fees are in the Master Fee Schedule. 

The City of Chula Vista has 3 user classes (1) Single Family, (2) Multi-family and (3) Commercial. Those not fitting one of the standard user classes or billing systems can apply for a variance (CVMC 13.14.130).  The fee for each user class includes a fixed service charge and a volume charge which depends on water usage.  Although not part of the sewer charge, the storm drain fee is included on the same bill as the sewer charges and is included in the sewer bill information. 

The current fees can be found in the City's Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule.

Sewer Billing Changes Starting July 1

On April 26, 2022, the City of Chula Vista held a Public Hearing as part of the Proposition 218 requirements and approved a 5-year sewer rate adjustment.  In addition to annual rate increases (July 1st of each year beginning in 2022 of 4.5%, 5%, 5%, and 5.5%), the approval included a Metropolitan (Metro) Wastewater “pass through” charge for City of San Diego’s treatment costs, allowed per California Government Code Section 53756.  This means that the actual costs to treat wastewater, which for the Chula Vista residents is done by the City of San Diego, will be applied or passed through to the sewer rates starting each July 1.  Starting July 1, 2024, the adjustment is a 4.76% increase above the previously adopted rate increase of 5% (beginning July 1, 2024) for a total rate increase of 9.76% beginning July 1, 2024. For an average Chula Vista residential customer, a current sewer bill of $48 will increase to approximately $53 per month.

The actual costs to Chula Vista for regional wastewater treatment by the City of San Diego was $2.292 million more than expected.  This increases the total operating costs from $41.033 million to $42.987 million or 4.76% more in total operating costs. Information on the change was mailed in May.  A copy is available here.

For more information, call (619) 476-5380 or email wastewater@chulavistaca.gov.

The Master Fee Schedule 12-200 for the monthly sewer service charges will be adjusted as follows starting July 1, 2023. 

Single-family Residential Rates

Fixed Service Charge. The single-family rate has a fixed fee.  

Volume Charge. The variable charge is based on the average winter potable water usage and multiplied by the volume charge in the Master Fee Schedule. Water consumption is reviewed between November 1st  and April 30th when most customers turn off their sprinklers and irrigation is at its yearly low.  The winter average is the average of the two lowest consecutive months of potable water used during this period and multiplied by a rate of return to the sewer to account for water not going into the sewer. This amount is multiplied by the volume charge and the same monthly amount is charged from July 1 to June 30.

Storm Drain Fee. The storm drain fee is a flat fee for all single family residential rates.

Example Calculation for a Single Family Home with winter average monthly water consumption of 7 HCF (hundred cubic feet):

$18.45 (fixed charge) + (90% x 7 HCF x $5.41/HCF) (volume charge) + $0.70 (storm drain fee)

Multi-Family Residential Rates

Fixed Service Charge. Multi-Family Residential fixed fees are based on the water meter size with larger water meters going to larger complexes having higher charges. That annual amount is found in Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule.

Volume Charge. The variable charge is based on the amount of potable water usage each month and multiplied by rate of return to the sewer as detailed in Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule. 

Storm Drain Fee.  Multi-Family Residential fixed fees are based on the amount of potable water usage.

Commercial and Industrial Rates

Fixed Service Charge. Commercial and Industrial fixed fees are based on the water meter size.  Larger water meters have higher charges which can be found in Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule. 

Volume Charge.  The variable charge is based on the amount of potable water usage and strength of sewage each month and multiplied by rate of return to the sewer as detailed in Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule. 

Strength Determination:

There are three classes of sewer strength which is dependent on the level of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (SS) in the sewage and are evaluated on a case by case basis. Sewage with higher BOD and SS levels requires more treatment and therefore has higher rates.  Descriptions of strength categories are further explained in Section 2 of the PBS&J Report.

1. High Strength (Typical Average BOD >400 mg/L and SS >400 mg/L) 
2. Medium Strength (Typical Average Values: BOD 200 to 400 mg/L and SS 200 to 400 mg/L)
3. Low Strength (Typical Average Values: BOD < 200 mg/L and SS < 200 mg/L)

Storm Drain Fee.  Commercial and Industrial storm drain fees are based on the amount of potable water usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate my bill?

The sewer bill depends on your water usage and the type of customer you are (single family, commercial, etc.). Details are provided in "Understand my sewer bill".

Why is my bill higher at my new home than my previous home in Chula Vista?

For single family residences, new sewer usages and rates go into effect July 1 of each year and remain the same for the year.  Please see "Understand my sewer bill" if you are not a single family residence. 

My neighbor has more people living at his house so why is his bill lower than mine?

Sewer bills for single family residences are based partially on water usage in the winter.  If your bill is much higher, you may want to investigate a potential leak by contacting a plumber or your water supplier or consider implementing water conservation measures. 

Why is my bill higher at my new home than my previous home in Chula Vista?

 New sewer accounts for single family homes are set up with a default water usage until a winter water usage is established, please see our sewer policies for more information.  If you have an established water usage, you may be using more water, please consider implementing water conservation measures. 

Why does my sewer bill keep going up each month?

For single family residences, new sewer usages and rates go into effect July 1 of each year and remain the same for the year.  Please see "Understand my sewer bill" if you are not a singled family residence.

Is there a senior discount?

There is no senior discount.

• Water efficiency Checks (CalAmerican, Otay, Sweetwater)
• Outdoor Water Smart (includes rainwater harvesting and graywater)
• Home Check Ups
• Business Check Ups
• Reduce Irrigation (Water Smart SD, SD County Landscape Guide, EPA, CV Naturescape, Otay Water District, Sweetwater Authority, and CalAmerican)

Contact Us

For general information please call (619) 476-5380 or to contact us by e-mail, click here.