Phone: (831) 384-6131 or (831) 883-5900
(Customer Service & 24-hour Emergency)
Hours: Mon-Thu & Every Other Fri 8am–5pm
(Telephone Only ... see Fri Closure Info PDF)

MCWD Customer Service

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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About Your Water

For more information about your water visit our water quality pages.

The District does not add fluoride to its water supply. Only a small amount of naturally occurring fluoride, well below the maximum contaminant level of 1.4 - 2.4 mg/L set by the California Department of Public Health, has been detected in the District's water supply.
Water pumped from the aquifers can be very warm, especially from the deep wells. Water from these wells is aerated and cooled before entering the distribution system.
The rotten egg odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide gas. Although the smell may be unpleasant, the gas is not harmful at the low concentrations found in the District's water supply. Hydrogen sulfide results from a chemical or biological reaction between naturally occurring sulfur and non-harmful bacteria, which is found in most water supplies, and/or electrons generated from water heater anodes. The District's chlorination, aeration and blending processes help reduce the gas. For more information, download the Does Your Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs? brochure.
Water hardness is the result of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, naturally occurring in water supplies. Hardness affects the ability of water to form suds or lather. Hard water requires more soap because the soap first reacts with the calcium and magnesium before it can lather. Water with less than 75 mg/L of calcium carbonate hardness is considered soft and water with 75 mg/L or more is considered hard. Marina's water hardness ranges from 17 to 270 mg/L, or from soft to hard.
The hardness of water varies with the water's source. It's an aesthetic choice to buy a water softener, because hard water isn't harmful to the health. However, people with low-sodium diets should be aware that many water softeners increase the sodium content in the water.
Sand naturally occurs in bedrock fractures and sometimes finds it way into the District's water supply when there has been exceptionally high flows, such as those caused when fire hydrants are used, a main breaks or there is construction on the water system. Periodic flushing of the water mains and the lateral lines leading from your house usually corrects the problem.
Air forced into the distribution system creates the pressure needed to move water through the pipes. This can result in air bubbles that make tap water appear cloudy or milky. However, the bubbles usually dissipate quickly.
Naturally occurring organics and metals, like manganese or iron, usually cause colored water. Such substances typically do not pose a health hazard, but the District requests that you report any instances of colored water so that it can be investigated.
Usually colored particles in drinking water indicate the dip tube in your hot water heater is disintegrating. The majority of water heaters made in the 1990s utilized a dip tube made of plastic, which breaks down. When this happens, the dip tube needs to be replaced. Contact the manufacturer to get the best information on replacement. A plumber can flush the hot water heater and replace the sacrificial anode at the same time.

Billing / Customer Service

Bills may be paid by mail with the return envelope (addressed to Marina Coast Water District, 920 2nd Avenue, Suite B, Marina CA 93933), which is included with your bill.  You can bring your payment to the District office during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday) or leave it in the drop box for after hours, located next to the front door. Bills can also be paid online with a Master Card, Visa, American Express or Discover Card; or automatically from your bank account (see Electronic Bill Payment below). If you need help setting up an online account, please call us at 384-6131.

HCF stands for "hundred cubic feet." Your monthly consumption is measured and billed in HCF increments. 100 cu. ft. (HCF) = 748 gallons of water.

You receive two sewer bills because two entities are involved: The District is responsible for the collection of wastewater and the maintenance of the sewer system (this fee appears on your monthly bill), and Monterey One Water (M1W) is responsible for pumping the wastewater from Marina to the regional treatment plant and treating the wastewater (this fee is billed by M1W every two months). Currently, M1W charges both Central Marina and Ord Community customers $101.90 every two months.

No, we do not offer prepayment or senior discounts.
Your bill is due and payable upon receipt. If payment is made after the final due date, appearing at the bottom of your bill, a late charge is applied. Bills are delinquent after 30 days from the date of service.
Your bill may reflect various adjustments and balances. A minus sign indicates that you have a credit balance, and you do not need to make a payment.
A late charge indicates that you have a balance from a prior period. A city utility tax of 6% is assessed on all accounts (the code appears as "TX" on your bill). A one-time deposit of $46 (cash/check only) is charged for new service. This deposit is credited to your account after one year of good payment history, or it will be reimbursed if the account is closed within that time.
The District accepts credit cards at the office or over the phone. You may also use your credit card when you pay online.
A District Ordinance states that customers must come into the office to sign up for service and pay a deposit (cash/check only). It's a District policy that delinquent notices must be paid in person, as well as payment arrangements for outstanding balances.