Santa Margarita Water District - Las Flores, California

Kasey Cooley

Haven't even received my first bill and I'm already fed up. The registration process on the website is awful. One of the fields says it's supposed to be 8 characters when it's actually 9 (super confusing as a first time customer), and the password creation has additional requirements they don't tell you about.

I've already reset my password -twice- trying to access the website, but it keeps saying my password is incorrect. SMWD badly needs to invest in improving their website or stop offering it as an half-cocked option.

georgeanna elliott

Private company and no accountability. I stopped receiving any billing, paper or email. Was unable to log into my account because their billing system is antiquated and still used security questions. . Asked for an answer to a question I never would have chosen. No way to reset. Called and found out I owed $360 for three months past due. But had to pay as a guest because I can’t log in. Was told by Nicole that billing is handled outside and they have no contacts there and can’t help me reset my account. Also that her supervisor would call me when she returned from lunch. This was 3 pm in the afternoon. Paid $360 and never received a call back from Elena Wilson, her supervisor

PART TWO
one month later. No bill, no call. Called again today. Again, speaking with Nicole is useless. Was told there is NO CEO, COO or other person in top management because they are a private company. This was 2:30 in the afternoon and again, Elena Wilson is at lunch. This woman must have the most cushy job in OC. apparently she never returned because no call. Maybe she “lunches” with the “non existent “ top manager. And this is a Monday!
This is ridiculous, I wouldn’t care except I don’t want my water shut off for non payment. These people apparently are accountable to no one! Calling the PUC tomorrow. Maybe they can help.

Kai Schaeffer

Their price modeling is insane and doesn't make sense. Majority of the water bill is in base charges, which both add up to over $50, every month. 85% of my water bill is in base charges for the 2 CCF I used. This model does not encourage little water usage and only encourages the opposite because I feel like I'm not getting my monies worth.

Greg Greg

This water district is corrupt. I have been out of my house in Wyoming for 1 1/2 months and used no water. Still charged $72.00 for "base fees". Truly unbelievable.

HB FAMILY

Unjust Increases: This water district has disgraceful practices. It is inking a rate increase for our local churches, non-profits, schools & businesses. The SMWD is seeking to to increase water bills for these entities by +\- 800% come August 2023.
(Many of our local service-neighbors who will be hit hard by this will not be able to bear the brunt of shouldering the cost alone and while we can all be ready for this operating cost to be passed along to consumers, others may fold under the outlandish burden SMWD is putting on them.)

Dodged a Bullet

Set up Auto-payments with the "Water District" years ago and things were fairly consistent for a long time. Now, I noticed that they QUADRUPLED MY WATER BILL! I use very little water; no lawn, few water consuming appliances and very calculated showers! So what gives!?!? Last year they billed me 3 times within 60 days..the same exact amount! Sometimes, maybe every 6 months or so, they don't bill at all! This is crazy and I cannot budget with such erratic unexplained Auto-payments going out randomly...I WANT SM UTILITIES HANDS OUT OF MY WALLET! They told us to cut way back on water consumption and as a community we did...now they took a hit so they're raising our rates? Terrible!!

Christian Fleck

This company overcharges like crazy. I pay $55 a month just in “admin fees”. I only use about $40 of actual water a month so I pay roughly $95 a month. Pretty steep water bill for 2 people living in a home. This company is only about profits.

RS W

They are corrupt. Manage by fear and intimidation. Homophobic managers and staff who treat employees like garbage while raising
Our water prices to keep inflating their salaries.

General manager is a narcissist