Where to pay your Long Beach utility bill
Long Beach Water Department and Long Beach Gas and Oil Department handle water and gas service in the city. Electricity comes from Southern California Edison (SCE) if you are in their service territory, or from Long Beach's municipal utility if you are within city limits — check your bill to see which company you owe.
You can pay Long Beach Water Department and Long Beach Gas and Oil Department bills online through the city's utility payment portal at lbwater.org or lbgasandoil.org. You can also pay by phone, mail, or in person at the Long Beach Water Department office (2600 N. California Avenue). Most bills show a due date; payment is typically due within 30 days of the bill date.
If you receive electricity from Southern California Edison, visit sce.com to pay online, by phone, or by mail. SCE also accepts payments at authorized payment centers throughout Long Beach. Check your bill for the specific due date — SCE bills typically allow 21 to 30 days before a late charge applies.
Key Takeaways
- Long Beach Water Department and Long Beach Gas and Oil Department operate separate billing systems, each with its own online payment portal and due dates.
- Southern California Edison serves some Long Beach addresses; check your bill to confirm which utility company you owe for electricity.
- Online payment through each utility's website is the fastest method and shows your payment status immediately.
- Late payments trigger additional charges, so mark your due date on a calendar or set up automatic payments to avoid missing deadlines.
- If you cannot pay in full by the due date, contact your utility directly to discuss payment plans or hardship programs before your account falls behind.
How to read your Long Beach utility bill
Your bill shows three key pieces of information: the amount you owe, what you used, and the due date. The amount due appears at the top or bottom of the first page. Below that, you will see your usage for the billing period — measured in gallons for water, therms for gas, and kilowatt-hours for electricity.
The charges section breaks down what you are paying for. Water bills include a base service charge (a fixed monthly fee) plus usage charges that increase with consumption. Gas and electricity bills work the same way: a base charge covers the cost of maintaining the line to your home, and usage charges depend on how much you consumed. Some bills also show taxes and any adjustments from the previous month.
If your bill is much higher than usual, check the usage numbers first. A spike in water usage might mean a leak; a spike in gas or electricity might mean a broken appliance or a billing error. Long Beach utilities allow you to request a meter recheck if you believe the reading is wrong — contact the utility directly with your account number and the dates of the suspected error.
Understanding rate structures and seasonal charges
Long Beach Water Department uses an increasing block rate structure, meaning the price per gallon goes up as you use more water. Your first tier of usage costs less per gallon than your second tier, which costs less than your third. This encourages conservation and means a family using very little water pays a lower rate than one using a lot.
Long Beach Gas and Oil Department charges a base service fee plus usage charges. The rate per therm can vary by season — winter months typically have higher demand and may carry different pricing. Check your bill for the specific rates applied to your billing period.
Southern California Edison also uses tiered rates. Your first tier of electricity use is charged at one rate; usage above that threshold is charged at a higher rate. SCE rates vary by season and by time of use if you are on a time-of-use plan. If you use most of your electricity during peak hours (typically late afternoon and evening), you pay more per kilowatt-hour during those times than during off-peak hours.
What to do if you cannot pay on time
Contact your utility as soon as you know you cannot pay by the due date — do not wait until after the bill is late. Long Beach Water Department, Long Beach Gas and Oil Department, and Southern California Edison all offer payment arrangements that let you spread the cost over several months instead of paying the full amount at once.
To set up a payment plan, call the utility's customer service line (the number is on your bill) and explain your situation. You will need to provide your account number and discuss how much you can pay each month. Most utilities require a down payment and then schedule the remaining balance over 2 to 12 months, depending on the amount owed and your circumstances.
If you are struggling with utility costs because of low income, you may be able to reduce your bills through assistance programs. Long Beach offers the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) for water bills and has programs for gas and electricity through Southern California Edison and other providers. Contact Long Beach's Department of Health and Human Services or call 211 to learn what programs are currently available in your area.
Setting up automatic payments and account alerts
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date. Long Beach Water Department, Long Beach Gas and Oil Department, and Southern California Edison all allow you to set up automatic monthly payments from a bank account or credit card through their websites. You choose the payment date — many people pick a date shortly after they receive their paycheck.
Automatic payments do not prevent you from reviewing your bill first. You can still log into your account online, check the charges, and cancel or adjust the payment before it processes if something looks wrong. Most utilities process automatic payments a few days before the due date, giving you a small buffer.
You can also set up account alerts through most utility websites. These send you an email or text message when your bill is ready, when a payment is due, or when your usage spikes unexpectedly. Alerts cost nothing and can catch billing errors or leaks before they become expensive problems.
Comparing your usage and finding ways to lower your bill
Your bill includes your usage for the current month and often shows usage from the same month last year, so you can spot trends. If this month is significantly higher, look for the cause: a broken toilet that runs constantly, a water heater set too high, or an air conditioner running longer because of a broken seal on a window.
For water, the easiest savings come from fixing leaks and reducing outdoor watering. A running toilet can waste thousands of gallons per month. For gas and electricity, check that your thermostat is set to a reasonable temperature — even a 2-degree change can lower your bill noticeably. Sealing air leaks around doors and windows, using LED light bulbs, and running large appliances during off-peak hours (if you are on a time-of-use plan) all reduce consumption.
Southern California Edison offers a free home energy audit through their website. The audit identifies where your home is losing energy and suggests specific upgrades. Some upgrades, like insulation or heat pump installation, may may have access to for rebates that reduce the upfront cost. Long Beach Water Department also offers conservation rebates for replacing old toilets and outdoor irrigation systems with water-efficient models.
Resolving billing disputes and requesting a meter recheck
If you believe your bill is wrong, gather your evidence first: photos of your meter reading, records of your typical usage, and notes about any unusual circumstances (like being away from home for part of the month). Then contact the utility's customer service department with your account number and explain the discrepancy.
The utility will investigate and may send someone to recheck your meter. This process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. If the meter is found to be faulty, the utility will adjust your bill to reflect the correct usage. If the meter is accurate, you will receive an explanation of why your usage was higher than expected.
If you disagree with the utility's findings, you have the right to file a complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) if your service is from Southern California Edison. For Long Beach municipal utilities, file a complaint with the Long Beach Department of Water and Power or the city's customer service office. Include your account number, the dates in question, and copies of your bills and meter readings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I do not pay my bill by the due date?
A late charge is added to your next bill, usually 1 to 2 percent of the amount owed. If you remain unpaid for 30 to 60 days (depending on the utility), the company may issue a shut-off notice. You will have a grace period — typically 10 to 15 days — to pay or set up a payment plan before service is disconnected. Contact the utility immediately if you receive a shut-off notice.
Can I dispute a charge on my bill?
Yes. Contact the utility within 30 days of receiving your bill and explain which charge you dispute. Provide your account number and any supporting evidence (meter photos, usage records, or documentation of an outage). The utility must investigate and respond within 30 to 45 days. You do not have to pay the disputed amount while the investigation is underway.
How do I know if I am on a time-of-use electricity plan?
Check your Southern California Edison bill for a section labeled "Rate Schedule" or "Plan Type." If it mentions specific hours (like "peak hours 4 p.m. to 9 p.m."), you are on a time-of-use plan. If you want to switch plans or learn whether a different plan would lower your bill, call SCE customer service or use their online rate comparison tool.
What is the difference between my base charge and my usage charge?
The base charge is a fixed monthly fee that covers the cost of maintaining the pipes or lines that deliver water, gas, or electricity to your home — you pay this whether you use anything or not. The usage charge depends on how much you actually consumed. Both appear on every bill, and both are necessary to provide service.
Can I pay my Long Beach Water and Gas bills together?
No — Long Beach Water Department and Long Beach Gas and Oil Department are separate entities with separate billing systems and due dates. You will receive two bills and need to pay each one separately, either online through their individual portals or by mailing two separate checks. Some people set up automatic payments for each utility to make this easier.