BILLING & PAYMENT OPTIONS

As a private mutual water company formed in 1948, we receive zero tax dollars and operate purely on a cost-recovery basis:

• Water Usage Charge: Based on the cost required to pump and deliver water to your property each month.   The base rate covers up to 20,000 gallons of water usage per billing period. 
• Standby Charge:   Monthly maintenance fee calculated by share ownership to cover system repairs, facility upkeep, and long-term equipment reserves. 
• Litigation Fund:  A monthly flat-fee assessed to cover legal expenses to protect our groundwater rights and ability to operate the water company.
• Road Assessment:    An annual fee calculated by the number of shares owned, dedicated to the maintenance, repair, and ongoing upkeep of the private roads.  
• Special Assessment:   A temporary fee assessed to shareholders as needed to fund major system repairs, infrastructure replacements, or private road resurfacing. 

📄 To view our current rate schedules and official company files, please visit our Shareholder Documents Page. 

We accept the following payment methods:

• Mail: Send checks or money orders to our mailing address (no in-person drop-offs).
• Zelle®: Send electronic payments using our official payment email address. Request setup instructions using the link above.
• Bank Bill Pay: Set up Eldorado Mutual Water Company as a payee through your bank's online bill pay service. (Note: Banks process Bill Pay by mailing us a physical paper check. Payments are credited on the date our office receives the check—not the date your bank debits your account. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for delivery.)

We do not accept credit or debit card payments directly over the phone or online.

No, we do not accept credit or debit card payments directly over the phone or on our website. However, if you prefer using a card, you can set up Eldorado Mutual Water Company as a payee through your bank's online Bill Pay service, which will process and issue a payment via physical check sent to us on your behalf.   Please review the delivery timelines noted in our payment options above. 

No, we do not have a physical drop-box location. Please send all check and money order payments through the mail, submit your payment electronically via Zelle® or use your bank's online Bill Pay. 

If you are past due and unable to pay your account balance in full, you must request an official Payment Agreement before your account is scheduled for service disconnection.

To set up a payment arrangement:

1. Upfront Payment Required: You must make an initial partial payment up front toward your outstanding balance upon establishing the agreement.
2. Monthly Installments: You must agree to pay a fixed monthly installment toward your past-due balance in addition to paying your regular current monthly water bill on time each month until the balance is paid off in full.
3. Strict Compliance & Disconnection: Payment arrangements are zero-tolerance. If a scheduled agreement payment or regular monthly payment is missed or returned, your water service will be subject to immediate shut-off without further notice, and additional reconnection fees will apply.

To request an agreement, please use our Contact Us form. In the message box, clearly state that you are requesting a Payment Agreement and include:

• Your Water Account Number and Service Address.
• The Upfront Payment Amount you can pay today.
• The Monthly Installment Amount you propose paying toward your past-due balance each month until resolved.

Our office will review your proposed terms and reach out to confirm or adjust your plan.

Eldorado Mutual Water Company

PO Box 900519

Palmdale, CA 93590

As noted in your Zelle® setup instructions, always include your Water Account Number and/or Service Address in the Zelle® memo line for every payment. If you are paying from a business, trust, or family member's bank account, this memo ensures your payment is credited to the correct property without delay. 

Because water service is tied directly to property ownership in a mutual water company, service cannot simply be "canceled."

During escrow, your company stock/shares must be formally transferred to the new buyer. Until this transfer is officially completed, monthly billing remains the responsibility of the current owner, and bills will continue to be sent to you.

• Initiate Escrow: Have your escrow officer contact Eldorado Mutual Water Company as early as possible during the sale process to request a demand statement.
• Stock Transfer: We will provide escrow with the necessary paperwork to transfer your water shares to the buyer upon closing.
• Final Billing & Transition: Once escrow closes, the share transfer is recorded, and any remaining balance is settled, your account will be closed and billing will transition seamlessly to the new owner.

Note: You will continue to receive and be responsible for the monthly bill until the official share transfer is completed through escrow.