Where to pay your Long Beach water and power bill

Long Beach provides water and power through two separate utilities: Long Beach Water Department and Long Beach Electric. You can pay either bill online through the city's payment portal, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The fastest route is the online portal at lbwater.org or lbpower.org, where you can pay immediately with a bank account or debit card without creating an account.

If you prefer not to pay online, you can call Long Beach Water Department at (562) 570-2300 or Long Beach Electric at (562) 590-5000 to pay by phone with a debit card or bank account. Both departments accept payment by mail if you send a check to the address printed on your bill. Long Beach also operates payment centers where you can pay in person with cash, check, or card — locations and hours are listed on each utility's website.

Key Takeaways

  • Long Beach Water Department and Long Beach Electric are separate utilities, so you may receive two bills and need to set up payment for each one separately.
  • Online payment through lbwater.org or lbpower.org is the fastest option and does not require you to create an account or log in.
  • You can pay by phone, mail, or in person at a Long Beach payment center if you do not want to pay online.
  • Setting up automatic payments through your bank's bill pay feature does not require the utility's website and may help you avoid late fees.
  • Your bill shows the due date and a grace period — paying after the due date but before the grace period ends avoids a late charge.

Reading your Long Beach utility bill

Your bill shows your account number at the top, usually in the upper right corner. This number is what you need to reference if you call to ask questions or set up a payment arrangement. Below that, you will see your service address and the billing period — the dates the bill covers.

The charges section breaks down what you are paying for. For water, this includes the base service charge (a fixed monthly fee) plus usage charges based on how many gallons you used. For electric, you will see a base charge, energy charges, and any time-of-use rates if you are on that plan. Long Beach also lists any taxes or city surcharges. The due date and grace period appear near the bottom — if you pay by the grace period date, you avoid a late fee, even if you miss the due date itself.

Setting up automatic payments

The easiest way to avoid late fees is to set up automatic payments through your bank's bill pay service, not through the utility's website. Log into your bank's online banking portal, select "bill pay" or "payments," and add Long Beach Water Department or Long Beach Electric as a payee. You can then schedule payments to go out on a date you choose each month — most people set it for a few days before the due date.

Bank bill pay is free and does not require you to give your bank account information to the utility. The payment arrives as a check or electronic transfer, and the utility processes it like any other payment. If you want the utility to pull money directly from your account instead, you can set up automatic payments through lbwater.org or lbpower.org, but this requires you to provide your bank details to the city.

What to do if you cannot pay on time

If you know you will miss the due date, contact Long Beach Water Department or Long Beach Electric before the bill is late. Both utilities offer payment arrangements that let you split your bill into smaller payments over time. Call the number on your bill to speak with a representative about setting up a plan. The sooner you call, the more options you will have — waiting until after a late fee is added makes the arrangement harder to negotiate.

Long Beach also has programs for customers with low income or financial hardship. The city's Community Development Department administers utility assistance programs that may help cover part of your bill. You can reach them at (562) 570-6194 or visit the city's website to learn about current programs and what information you will need to provide.

Understanding late fees and service disconnection

Long Beach adds a late fee to your bill if you do not pay by the grace period date shown on your statement. The fee is a percentage of your unpaid balance, and the exact amount depends on your utility and the size of your bill. Late fees appear on your next bill, so your balance grows if you do not pay the original amount plus the fee.

If your bill remains unpaid for a longer period, Long Beach may disconnect your service. The utility sends written notice before disconnection, giving you time to pay or contact them about a payment arrangement. Once service is disconnected, you must pay the full unpaid balance plus a reconnection fee to restore service. Reconnection can take several days, so avoiding disconnection by calling early is far simpler than dealing with the process afterward.

Checking your account online

You can view your current balance and payment history on lbwater.org or lbpower.org without creating an account. Enter your account number (from your bill) and your service address, and the site will show your balance, due date, and recent payments. This is useful if you want to confirm a payment went through or check how much you owe before making a payment.

If you want to create an account to receive email reminders or view detailed usage information, both utilities offer that option on their websites. Email reminders can alert you a few days before your due date, which helps prevent late payments. Usage information shows you how much water or electricity you used each month, which can help you spot unusual spikes that might indicate a leak or equipment problem.

Paying a bill for someone else's account

If you want to pay someone else's Long Beach utility bill, you can do so online if you have their account number and service address. Go to lbwater.org or lbpower.org, enter the account information, and pay as a guest without logging in. The payment will be applied to that account even though it is not in your name.

You can also pay by phone or mail using the account number. If you are paying by check, write the account number on the check so the utility knows which account to credit. If you plan to pay someone else's bill regularly, ask them to add you as an authorized user on their account — this lets you view the bill and make payments through the utility's website without needing to ask for the account number each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay both my water and electric bills at the same time?

No, Long Beach Water Department and Long Beach Electric are separate utilities with separate accounts and billing systems. You must make two separate payments, one to each utility. You can pay both online in a few minutes by visiting each utility's website, or you can pay both by phone in one call if you have both account numbers ready.

What happens if I pay my bill late but before the grace period ends?

You will not be charged a late fee if you pay by the grace period date shown on your bill, even if you miss the due date itself. The grace period gives you a buffer of a few extra days. Once the grace period ends, a late fee is added to your account.

How long does it take for a payment to show up on my account?

Online payments usually appear within one business day. Payments by mail take longer — typically five to seven business days depending on postal delivery. If you pay by phone, the payment is processed immediately. Always pay before the grace period ends to account for mail delays.

Can I set up automatic payments for just one month?

If you set up automatic payments through your bank's bill pay service, you can schedule a one-time payment for any date you choose. If you set up automatic payments through the utility's website, most plans are recurring monthly. Check the terms when you sign up to see whether you can cancel after one payment or if you need to contact the utility to stop it.

What should I do if I think there is an error on my bill?

Call Long Beach Water Department at (562) 570-2300 or Long Beach Electric at (562) 590-5000 and explain what you think is wrong. Have your bill in front of you so you can reference the account number and the charges in question. The utility can review your account and explain the charges, or investigate if there is a meter problem or billing error.