What h2go Bill Pay Is and How It Works
h2go is an online bill payment system run by the City of San Diego for water and sewer bills. Instead of mailing a check or calling a phone line, you log into h2go, enter your account number, and pay your bill through your computer or phone. The system accepts bank transfers, debit cards, and credit cards. Payments typically post within one to two business days.
h2go is free to use if you pay by bank transfer (also called ACH or electronic check). Credit and debit card payments carry a processing fee — usually around 2.5 percent of your bill amount — charged by the payment processor, not the city. You see the fee before you confirm the payment, so you can choose whether to pay it or use a different method.
The system is designed to let you pay on your own schedule without waiting for business hours or mailing time. You can set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic monthly payments. If you enroll in autopay, the city will charge your account on the same day each month, usually around the 15th or the last day of the month depending on your billing cycle.
Key Takeaways
- h2go is the City of San Diego's online payment portal for residential and commercial water and sewer bills.
- Bank transfer payments are free; credit and debit card payments charge a processing fee of roughly 2.5 percent.
- You need your account number and a valid email address to create an h2go account and make your first payment.
- Automatic monthly payments can be set up or cancelled anytime through your h2go account dashboard.
- If you cannot pay your full bill, the City of San Diego offers payment plans and hardship programs through a separate application process.
How to Set Up Your h2go Account
Go to the City of San Diego's h2go website and click "Create Account" or "Register." You will need your water account number, which appears on your paper bill or in any email from the city. You will also need a valid email address and a password you create yourself.
After you enter your account number and email, the system will ask you to verify your identity. This usually means answering security questions based on your account history — for example, "What was your water bill amount in March?" or "What is your service address?" Answer these correctly and your account will be activated immediately.
Once your account is active, you can add a payment method. h2go stores your bank account details or card information securely, so you do not have to enter it every time you pay. You can add multiple payment methods and choose which one to use for each payment.
Making a One-Time Payment
Log into your h2go account and select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." The system will show your current bill amount and due date. You can pay the full amount or a partial amount — there is no minimum payment required, though paying less than the full bill means interest and late fees may apply if the balance is not paid by the due date.
Choose your payment method from the ones you have saved. If you are paying by bank transfer, no fee applies. If you choose a credit or debit card, the system will calculate and display the processing fee before you confirm. For example, if your bill is $100 and the fee is 2.5 percent, you will pay $102.50 total.
Review the payment details — amount, due date, and payment method — and click "Confirm" or "Submit." You will receive an email confirmation with a confirmation number. Keep this for your records. The payment will post to your account within one to two business days. If you pay on a weekend or holiday, posting may take longer.
Setting Up Automatic Monthly Payments
In your h2go account, look for "Autopay," "Automatic Payments," or "Recurring Payments." Click to enroll and choose the payment method you want to use each month. The system will ask you to select a payment date — usually the 15th or the last day of the month. The city will charge your account on that date automatically.
Automatic payments use the current bill amount each month, so the charge will vary if your water usage changes. You will still receive a bill in the mail or by email showing what was charged. If you want to pause autopay for a month, you can do so through your account without cancelling the entire arrangement.
To cancel autopay entirely, log into h2go, find the autopay settings, and select "Cancel" or "Stop Autopay." The cancellation takes effect immediately, and you will not be charged the following month. You can re-enroll in autopay anytime.
What to Do If You Cannot Pay Your Full Bill
If your bill is overdue or you cannot afford to pay in full, contact the City of San Diego's Customer Service line at the phone number on your bill. Do not ignore the bill — late fees and interest accrue, and the city can eventually shut off your water service.
The city offers payment plans that let you split your bill into smaller monthly installments. You can usually arrange a plan over the phone or in person at a city office. The plan is added to your account, and you pay the installment amount each month through h2go or by other methods.
The city also has a hardship program for households with low income or temporary financial difficulty. This program may reduce or defer part of your bill. You will need to provide proof of income and explain your situation. Contact Customer Service to ask about current hardship program rules and what documents you need to submit.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
You cannot log in or forgot your password. Click "Forgot Password" on the h2go login page. Enter your email address and the system will send you a reset link. If you do not receive the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder. If the reset link does not work, call Customer Service — they can reset your account or help you create a new one.
Your payment shows as pending but has not posted. Payments typically post within one to two business days. If more than two business days have passed and the payment still shows as pending, log into h2go and check the payment status. If it shows as failed, you may need to resubmit it. If it shows as successful but has not posted to your bill, call Customer Service with your confirmation number.
You were charged a processing fee but did not expect one. Processing fees apply only to credit and debit card payments. If you used a card and did not see the fee warning before confirming, the fee may still be refundable — contact Customer Service within a few days of the payment to ask. For future payments, use bank transfer to avoid the fee.
Your account number is not working. Make sure you are entering the account number exactly as it appears on your bill — it is usually 10 to 12 digits. If you cannot find it, call Customer Service and they will provide it. Do not guess or use a partial number, as this will cause the system to reject your registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my water bill without creating an h2go account?
Yes. You can mail a check to the address on your bill, pay in person at a city office, or call the automated phone payment line. h2go is the fastest and most convenient option, but it is not required. The city accepts all payment methods.
What happens if I set up autopay and then move or change my address?
Update your address in your h2go account as soon as possible. Your autopay will continue to charge your payment method, but your bills will go to your new address. If you do not update your address, you may miss billing notices. You can change your address online in h2go or by calling Customer Service.
Can I pay someone else's water bill through h2go?
No. h2go requires you to log in with the account holder's information. If you want to pay someone else's bill, you can mail a check with their account number written on it, or call Customer Service to arrange a payment over the phone.
Is h2go secure? Will my bank information be stolen?
h2go uses encryption and security standards required by the payment industry. Your bank details are not stored in plain text and are not visible to city staff. Like any online payment system, h2go carries the same security level as your bank's website. If you are uncomfortable entering your information online, you can pay by mail or phone instead.
What if I pay through h2go but my bill still shows as unpaid?
Payments take one to two business days to post. If you paid more than two business days ago and your bill still shows unpaid, log into h2go and check the payment status. If it shows as successful, call Customer Service with your confirmation number — there may be a processing delay on the city's end.