What are the charges on my bill?
- WATER CONSUMPTION – The cost of actual water used by the customer. One billing unit equals 100 cubic feet. One hundred cubic feet equals 748 gallons.
- BASIC SERVICE CHARGE – These funds are used to cover fixed expenses for the routine maintenance of the water system, ensuring a stable stream of revenue to cover routine expenditures.
What are these charges on my property tax bill?
- MWA DEBT 1 –Voter approved, this debt is assessed by the Mojave Water Agency. Funds are used primarily for the payment of debt service and maintenance in connection with the State Water Project (The California Aqueduct).
- MWA DEBT 2 – Voter approved, this debt is assessed by the Mojave Water Agency*. Funds are used primarily to supplement the MWA 1 tax and to fund the Mojave Water Agency administration.
- MWA ID ‘M’ – Voter approved, this debt is assessed by the Mojave Water Agency*. Funds are used to fund 40% of the debt service for Morongo Basin Pipeline extension from the California Aqueduct to our communities.
- ID GM STANDBY CHARGE – A charge assessed on parcels within the Improvement District Goat Mountain which do not have a metered service connection. This fee is based on parcel size and is assessed annually.
*To learn more about the Mojave Water Agency and the services they provide please visit their web site at www.mojavewater.org
I did not use any water. Do I still have to pay the monthly charges?
Once a meter is installed on a property and a service connection exists, the Basic Service Charge must be paid regardless if there is water use. This fixed charge covers the fixed cost of maintaining the water system, which all metered customers are responsible for. Water use is a variable cost that is charged per unit of water (748 gallons), and covers the variable costs of electricity, water supply, treatment and other variable costs associated with delivering sae and reliable water.
The only way to eliminate the Basic Service Charge is by removing your water meter. There is a fee to remove and terminate the service. If at a later time you wish to reinstall the water meter and service to the property, the property owner will need to purchase a brand new water meter at the then current fees. To learn more or to initiate this process, contact our office by phone or email.
I did not receive my bill. Am I still responsible for making my payment on time?
Yes. It is your responsibility to notify the Agency if you have not received a bill for water service or other applicable charges and to ensure payment is made before it becomes delinquent.
I can’t pay my bill by the due date. May I get an extension?
The Agency does not provide extensions to the payment due date, but we can offer a payment plan. Contact our office by phone or email and ask about a payment plan.
I received an unusually high bill. May I make payment arrangements?
Yes, you may request a Payment Plan once per year to help you get caught up and avoid lock-off. Payment Plans of three months or less accrue no interest, after three months a 10% interest rate will be charged. The maximum time frame allowed for a payment plan is (12) months and only one plan is allowed in a year. You must pay for current bills on time to avoid lock-off.
Contact our office by phone or email to set-up a payment plan and sign the Payment Plan Agreement.
What are possible causes of high water usage bills?
Leaks are the number one cause of high water bills. Even small water leaks can use a ton of water. Check your property service line which runs from your meter to your home. Also check toilets, irrigation systems, faucets, and any other plumbing that may be leaking water. Contact a plumber for assistance identifying and fixing leaks.
Unseen or unfixed leaks can wastefully drip thousands of gallons of water. Early detection is important to avoid unusually high bills. For more information, click here.
When do I get my guarantee deposit back?
After (2) years of good credit with the Agency, a deposit will be refuned to the account. Good credit worthiness is established by having no delinquents, zero retuned payments, and no lock-offs for a period of two (2) years.
Bulk meter account deposits are retained until the customer closes the account.
How can I protect my home from high pressure in the water system?
Pressuring reducing valves are required by the California Plumbing Code. Customers are responsible for installing and maintaining pressure reducing valves on their property.
The Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency water system pressure ranges from approximately twenty (20) to one hundred-forty (140 psi) pounds per square inch.
When accepting water service from the Agency to your premise you agree to hold the Agency harmless for any damages or loss that may occur as a result of high or low pressure conditions.
It is strongly recommended that you install and maintain two (2) pressure reducing valves both at the customer side of the meter and at the dwelling that is serviced by the meter whenever the static system pressure exceeds eighty (80 psi) pounds per square inch.