Understand Your Bill

General Billing Information

Most Marin Water customers are billed every other month, or six times per year. Billed amounts are based on water usage during the previous two months. The bimonthly bill includes variable charges, which are based on a customer's water use during the billing period. The bill also includes fixed charges designed to recover Marin Water’s costs to provide service that do not vary with consumption. 

Customer Water Rates

New water rates took effect July 1, 2023 and will first be reflected on customers bills in September and October. For bills received in June and July of 2023, please see the previous rate table effective July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023.

The water rates that took effect on July 1, 2023 were adopted by the Board of Directors in May following a six month rate development process. View information about that process on the 2023 Rate Setting web page.

You water bill includes the costs associated with providing water to your tap, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It includes a fixed Capital Maintenance Fee that pays for the repair and replacement of aging pipelines, water tanks and other infrastructure to improve the reliability of your service by reducing the risk of pipe breaks and service interruptions. It also includes a Watershed Management Fee that is based on water use, and which helps to cover the cost of protecting and maintaining the Mt. Tamalpais watershed, the primary source of our local water supply.

Service Charge

Providing water to your tap 24/7 involves a network of support services. Your Service Charge includes fixed costs associated with your water service, such as maintenance, billing, customer support services, and other operational costs. 

Water Service Tier Charges

Your Water Service Tier Charges show the per-unit cost of water used. One unit equals 748 gallons, or 100 cubic feet of water. Tiers are based on your water use. Everyone uses tier one first, then moves into the next tiers based on progressively higher water use.

Watershed Management Fee

The Watershed Management Fee is a water use-based charge that pays for the sustainable management of our Mt. Tamalpais watershed, including vegetation management for wildfire prevention, protecting natural habitats, and the water quality of our reservoirs.

Capital Maintenance Fee

Marin Water is California’s first municipal water district, established in 1912. Many of our pipes are more than 100 years old. The Capital Maintenance Fee is a fixed fee that funds capital projects, including replacing old pipelines, tanks and otherinfrastructure that improve the overall reliability of your water service.

SAMPLE BILL

Your water bill may be adjusted in case of water loss due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a mechanical malfunction, blind leak, water theft, vandalism, unexplained water loss, or other unusual or emergency conditions. Adjustments will not be made for faucet leaks.

Water loss or leak adjustment requests must be made in writing, and are limited to two billing periods, and one adjustment every 36 months. Corrective action must be taken within 48 hours of discovering or being notified of a leak, and the district requires proof of repairs within 30 days from the billing date when the water loss occurred.

To request a leak adjustment, complete and submit the Leak Adjustment Form along with your proof of repairs.

For a full description of our leak adjustment policy, review Marin Water's leak adjustment code. 

Resources: 

Leak Adjustment Form

Marin Water Leak Adjustment Code

Marin Water offers a third-party notification program. If your water bill is overdue, our Customer Service Department will try to contact you. If we are not able to do so, we will make one attempt to contact whomever you have designated as your third-party. Your third-party has time to remind you that your water bill is due. There is no charge for this service.

This program may be helpful if you live alone and would like to have a relative or friend notified if you have overlooked paying your water bill or if you care for a relative or friend who may overlook his or her water bill due to illness, financial issues, or language difficulties. It is also helpful if you travel frequently, or have a relative or friend who travels frequently, making it difficult to pay bills on schedule.

Marin Water will make an attempt to notify the third-party, but we cannot be held liable if we are unable to reach your third-party contact. Your third-party contact is not obligated in any way to pay the customer's bill. You may also cancel this service at any time, in writing.

To participate, download and complete the form. Both you and the designated third-party sign need to sign the form. Send it in with your next payment or mail it separately to: 

Marin Water
Attn: Customer Service
220 Nellen Ave.
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Resources: 

Third Party Notification Form

Ways to Save on your Bill

Looking for ways to save on your water bill? Marin Water offers a variety of water-saving tips, resources and rebates as well as discount programs to qualifying customers. 

If you have a question about your water bill, please contact our Customer Service Department. 

Contact Info
Quick Links
Online Bill Pay
Rate Calculator
Policy: Termination for non-payment
Additional Resources
FAQ Customer Service.pdf (91.1 KB)