Missing Your Water Bill? It's Coming

Do you feel like you should have paid your water bill already? Are you looking for it in the stacks of junk mail now sitting in your recycling bin?

It’s not your imagination. The city of San Juan Capistrano is late in delivering the water bill this month.

“It’s a software issue we’re working through, and we should have those bills out shortly,” said City Manager Karen Brust last week.

Residents have been receiving postcards in the mail, indicating the city is experiencing “unatincipated technical difficulties” in adjusting the new water rates.  in accordance with the suggestions from a rate study done in 2009.

That study found the city’s rate structure was behind in covering the utility’s expenses and recommended a 3 percent increase on July 1, 2012.

For the average-sized home in San Juan Capistrano, it will mean about a $6 bump on the bill, , the city’s utilities director, has said. Commercial properties will experience the same, while large-sized estates will likely pay $9 more.

Wastewater (sewer) rates will also increase slightly, according to the plan.

“In order to complete the necessary changes and assure that you receive an accurate water bill,” states the postcard that went out to residents, “your bill that was scheduled to be mailed Friday, July 13, 2012 will be mailed as soon as possible.”

The postcard notes that the due date and grace period will be “adjusted accordingly.”