Water & Sewer Service

New residents or businesses will have to establish an account for Water and Sewer Service. This utility service can be set up by calling 650-259-2420 or by visiting the Finance Department's Customer Service counter in the lobby:

• Millbrae City Hall
  621 Magnolia Avenue
  Millbrae, CA

Water and Sewer Service is provided and maintained by the City of Millbrae Public Works Department. Utility statement generation and customer accounts are maintained by the City of Millbrae Finance Department. The required deposit for a Business account varies as it is based on the type of business conducted

Note: A deposit of $150 is required for residential property service. The deposit will be refunded after one year of prompt payment history or requested discontinuance of service.

Water and Sewer Services are billed together bimonthly. The month a customer will receive their statement varies depending on their location, as billing cycles are specific for each area within the City of Millbrae.

Water consumption is metered, and meters are read every other month by the City of Millbrae Public Works Department Meter Readers.

Sample Bill Calculation for rates effective July 1, 2022, for a typical single-family home with a 3/4-inch meter using the average 6 units (ccf) of water per month (about 150 gallons of water per day).

In July 2017, the City replaced the SSO charge with the Clean Bay Fee. The Clean Bay Fee modified charges to reapportion costs between residential customers, multi-family units, and commercial customers. As a result, many customers initially paid less each month compared to their SSO charge. The Clean Bay Fee will remain in effect until the loans and/or bonds associated with sewer improvements are paid in full. The repayment timeline is dependent on the amount and type of debt that the City takes on to fund necessary capital improvements.

The payment due date is shown on the statement. To ensure proper credit to your account, always enclose the bottom portion of your statement with your payment, and use the envelope provided. To avoid a delinquent notice, and/or a penalty for late payment, be sure to mail your payment before the due date. Payments can also be made at the drop box located in the customer parking lot at City Hall, or the Finance Department's Customer Service counter located in the lobby of City Hall.

Invariably, questions may arise regarding your Water and Sewers statement. Some may be general in nature while others may be more specific. For example:

• Why does a certain charge appear on my statement?
• What can I do if I am unable to pay my statement by the due date?
• What penalties are charged for late payment?
• What can I do if my water service is turned off for nonpayment?

The questions listed above, and other questions or concerns can be answered by our Customer Service Staff, either in person at the Finance Department Customer Service counter, located at City Hall, calling 650-259-2420, or send an email to Utility Billing.

Staff can also redirect your questions or concerns to the proper department.

The City of Millbrae Public Works Department is responsible for the water distribution system, the water meter, and the service line between the meter and the distribution system. In addition, the City of Millbrae Public Works Department is responsible for the sewage collection system excluding laterals and their connections to the system.

Customers are responsible for the internal plumbing from the water meter into the structure and for sewer laterals out to the City street sewer mains.

When a problem occurs which are suspected to originate in the City system, the City of Millbrae Public Works Department should be called. Notable examples of problems in the City system are low or no water pressure or sewage backup through floor drains. When indications of a problem are not the internal responsibility of the individual customer, please call the City of Millbrae Public Works Department before employing the services of a private plumber.

To report a drought regulation-water waste violation email the Public Works Department or call 650-259-2444.

The top priority of the City of Millbrae Public Works Department is to provide high-quality Water and Sewer Services to the City of Millbrae customers. Nevertheless, problems do occur. This is understandable, considering the large volume of water and wastewater moving daily through more than 70 miles of water lines, 60 miles of sewer lines, and 21 miles of storm drains.

Please be advised the water line from the meter to the residence or place of business is the property owner's responsibility. In addition, the sanitary sewer lateral from the structure to the City's sewer line is considered to be part of the plumbing and is the property owner's responsibility. On the other hand, if you experience a problem and suspect it is related to a mainline system, please let us know. Call the City of Millbrae Public Works Department at:

• 650-259-2375 during regular office hours (Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)
• If emergencies arise during nonbusiness hours, weekends, or holidays, please call 650-363-4951