Water Services [top of page]
Q. How do I know which water district I'm located in?
Trash & Recycling Services [top of page]
Q. Who takes care of picking up my trash?
Q. I want to recycle - who do I call?
Q. How do I dispose of household hazardous waste?
Sewer Services [top of page]
Q. How is my sewer service charge calculated and billed?
Q. Why are you using flow-based rates instead of flat (fixed) rates?
Q. How will I know what my charge is going to be each year?
Q. How does the flow-based rate structure account for water used outdoors during the winter months?
Q. What if I have an unusual circumstance that results in a charge that is not reflective of my amount of discharge into the sewer?
Q. How can I lower my charge?
Cable & Telephone Services [top of page] Q. How do I get my telephone turned on?
Q. Who do I call to get cable installed at my home?
Answers to Questions: Q. How do I get my electricity or gas heat turned on? [top of page]
A. Call SDG&E to set up your service: Customer Service, Billing and General Information (24 hours a day) 1-800-411-SDGE (7343).
Q. I smell gas in my home, who do I call? [top of page]
A. SDG&E will send out a service person, free of charge, to investigate the problem. Call 1-800-411-SDGE (7343) to schedule an appointment.
Q. I am planning to move. How can I get my gas and electric service transferred to my new address? [top of page]
A. To transfer your gas and electric service, call 1-800-411-SDGE (7343) at least five working days before your scheduled move date.
Q. I am buying a new house and will need gas and electric meters installed. What steps do I take? [top of page]
A. Call 1-800-411-SDGE (7343) to apply for the installation of meters at your new home. It is important to remember that you must receive final inspection approvals from both SDG&E and from the city or county before we can install the gas and/or electric meters.
Q. There are trees around my home that are touching power lines. Do I call SDG&E or the City of Encinitas to have them trimmed? [top of page]
A. SDG&E will contact the City of Encinitas and get the "ok" to trim the trees. SDG&E will trim trees when the contact between tree branches and power lines, between poles, is determined to be unsafe. Mail SDG&E Now to request an inspection.
Q. How do I know which water district I'm located in? [top of page]
A. The City of Encinitas is served by two water districts - the San Dieguito Water District (SDWD) and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD). In general, the San Dieguito Water District serves most properties west of El Camino Real while the Olivenhain Municipal Water District serves the remainder of the City. There are some exceptions to this rule and if you need further clarification you may contact the SDWD at (760) 633-2709 or OMWD at (760) 753-6466. You may also obtain some very useful information at each district's web site. Please click on either district below to go directly to their web page.
San Dieguito Water District
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Q. Who takes care of picking up my trash? [top of page]
A. The City of Encinitas has an exclusive franchise agreement with EDCO Waste and Recycling Services to provide solid waste collection services in Encinitas for both residential and commercial customers. EDCO is the only authorized company that can haul solid waste in the City of Encinitas.
Q. I want to recycle - who do I call? [top of page]
A. Residential trash service includes curbside green waste collection and recyclable materials (mixed paper, glass, plastic and aluminum cans) collection at no additional charge. To arrange for recycling containers, please contact EDCO at (760) 436-4151. For information regarding recycling of other items, please contact Solana Center for Environmental Innovation at (760) 436-7986.
Q. How do I dispose of household hazardous waste? [top of page]
A. Encinitas residents may dispose of their household hazardous waste (HHW) at permanent collection facilities located in Poway and Vista. Door-to-door HHW pickup is available for homebound elderly and handicapped citizens at no charge. All other residents may receive home pickups for a $10 co-payment. In addition, periodic one-day collection events (Citywide and regional) are held. For further information regarding the City's HHW programs, please call (800) 444-4244.
Q. How is my sewer service charge calculated and billed? [top of page]
A. Sewer service charges are billed on your property tax bill, which is mailed by the County Assessor’s Office in September.
For residential customers in the Encinitas Sanitary Division and the Cardiff Sanitary Division, the charge is based on the two lowest bi-monthly water readings taken during the winter months (December through May). For customers serviced by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD), monthly water readings are combined to obtain bi-monthly readings (i.e., December+January = January, February+March = March, April+May = May).
Cardiff Sanitary Division Rate Schedule
Encinitas Sanitary Division Rate Schedule
The charge for commercial customers is based on an entire year’s water use (readings from July through June). Click on the links below to view the commercial rates per division.
Cardiff Sanitary Division Commercial Rates
Encinitas Sanitary Division Commercial Rates
Sewer services for some residents of Leucadia and New Encinitas are provided by the Leucadia Wastewater District. Please call 760-753-0155 for further information on fees and services.
Q. Why are you using flow-based rates instead of flat (fixed) rates? [top of page]
A. Flow-based rates are more equitable since each customer pays for what they put into the sewer system. Since our costs for sewer collection and treatment increase as the amount of wastewater from your home or business increases, it is the fairest method of billing for sewer service.
Q. How will I know what my charge is going to be each year? [top of page]
A. Your annual sewer service charge appears as a separate line item on your property tax bill. You may also call the Public Works Department at 760-633-2840 to obtain this information after it has been determined (normally by late August). When calling, please be sure to have your Assessor’s Parcel Number or your address.
Q. How does the flow-based rate structure account for water used outdoors? [top of page]
A. Our rate structure considers that a percentage of your metered water use will not be returned to the sewer system. In calculating your charge, a predetermined percentage is discounted. The percentage used differs based upon type of customer (residential, and non-residential). The percentage is determined by analyzing the total water consumption and total sewage flows entering the treatment plant.
Q. What if I have an unusual circumstance that results in a charge that is not reflective of my amount of discharge into the sewer? [top of page]
A. Annual sewer service charges can be adjusted when it can be positively demonstrated that any of the following situations exist: - A water leak;
- The percentage of water returned to the sewer is less than our established percentage;
- Water from one or more meters is not discharged into the sewer system;
- Ownership of property changes and the water consumption history from the previous owner does not reflect your use.
If you wish to request an administrative review of your charge for the above reasons, you may complete an official application form provided by the Public Works Department, or click here to download the application in PDF format.
Q. How can I lower my charge? [top of page]
A. The San Dieguito Water District (SDWD) and Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) provide water conservation tips for cutting indoor and outdoor usage, which may result in a lower sewer service charge. Both agencies arrange residential water surveys, in which a representative will visit your home and identify areas for water saving opportunities. If you would like more information, please contact SDWD at 760-633-2709 or OMWD at 760-753-6466.
Q. How do I get my telephone turned on? [top of page]
A. Call 1-800-310-BELL (2355) for residential customer service, weekdays from 8am to 6 pm, or call Pacific Bell's 24 Hour Information Line 1-800-21-GUIDE (1-800-214-8433) which will answer most frequently asked questions.
Q. Who do I call to get cable installed at my home? [top of page]
A. This depends on where you live. There are two providers, Cox Communications (North County Office (760) 806-9809) and Time Warner (Customer Service 1-877-213-1053). You'll need to contact them about what services they provide and their areas serviced.
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