Get help with water bills in the Oakland CA area
Oakland California residents can get assistance with paying their water bills from a couple different programs that are offered by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). The utility has a robust low-income discount, flexible payment options, and even limited leak-related bill adjustments. A few Alameda County - Bay Area charities can also step in with one-time help when a shutoff or eviction due to unpaid water is on the line. Learn more below on how to get help paying water bills in the Oakland CA area.
Programs offered directly by East Bay Municipal Utility District
The first option to look into may be the Customer Assistance Program (CAP). This can support low income customers in the Oakland region, and funds can even be used to help pay the water bills for such local charities as homeless shelters. It assists with both sewer / wastewater and water bills.
- For income-qualified households in single-family homes, CAP cuts the standard bimonthly service charge in half and discounts home water use by 50% up to 1,050 gallons per person per month.
- If EBMUD also bills your wastewater, CAP reduces those charges by up to 35%.
Financial help from the East Bay Municipal Utility District CAP is targeted at the low income, seniors, and disabled in the community. There may be additional requirements that need to be met, and proof will need to be provided as well.
Payment extensions are available as well, including for people facing an emergency. The goal is to prevent shut offs of a customer’s water service, so EBMUD will work with struggling individuals across Oakland to try to find a solution for an emergency hardship. If you’re behind or facing shutoff, contact EBMUD Customer Service to set up a payment extension on past due water bills or installment plan. You can request a payment extension through your online account or by calling customer service.
High East Bay Municipal Utility District bill after a leak? EBMUD offers guidance to diagnose leaks and, in some cases, a one-time leak adjustment after repairs. Start with calling customer service and referencing the “Leaks and High Bills” guide. The policy allows up to a 50% adjustment of the difference from a comparable prior period when criteria are met. EBMUD’s My Water Report can send text or email alerts when your usage spikes, which is often the fastest way to catch leaks before they create unaffordable bills.
- Customers can also get a free WaterSmart Home Survey Kit to check for toilet leaks, measure faucet and shower flow, and learn how to save more money each month on their bills. Kits are mailed with instructions, and in some cases EBMUD provides free water-saving devices after you return your results.
Charities and non-profits in Alameda County that help pay water bills
When CAP or the other East Bay Municipal Utility District programs aren’t enough, local charities can sometimes help with one-time payments to pay water costs. Alameda County’s Season of Sharing Fund (run by Alameda County Social Services Agency) provides emergency aid that can include utility payments made directly to the provider when a household faces a crisis threatening housing stability. Call (510) 271-9100.
For emergencies when you still can’t pay, EBMUD runs the Water Lifeline program with RCF Connects (Richmond Community Foundation). This is another option for people when out of options. The Lifeline program provides one-time bill help for customers already enrolled in CAP and facing a shutoff-risk hardship. You can contact RCF Connects at 510-779-3200.
Several other Alameda County charity organizations can provide money to pay water bills as well - or even help with sewer costs. These are also for an emergency only, often when faced with a shut off. All income and other criteria will need to be met with each local organization having a different application process.
Contact information
The customer service team at East Bay Municipal Utility District is a great resource. Call them at 1-866-403-2683. The company also has options available online (website: https://www.ebmud.com/customers/billing-questions/financial-assistance) or try one of the charity options above - as struggling households have many options available to help with water bills.
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