$40M San Diego Water Rates Class Action Settlement

Single-family residential water customers of the City of San Diego between August 14, 2014, and December 1, 2023, are eligible.

None required, though class members may be asked to validate their contact information and select a preferred payment method.

About This Settlement

A class action lawsuit alleged that the City of San Diego charged unconstitutional single-family residential water rates that were not proportional to the cost of providing water service to its single-family residential customers. The City of San Diego has not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $40 million settlement to resolve these alleged claims. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Who Qualifies

• You may be eligible for this settlement if you meet the following criteria:
• You were a single-family residential water customer of the City of San Diego
• Your service occurred at any point between August 14, 2014, and December 1, 2023
• You were billed under the city's single-family residential water rate structure during that period
• No proof of purchase is required to file

What You May Receive

Eligible class members may receive a refund that varies based on individual water usage and billing history. Your estimated payment, if any, may be calculated based on the difference between the amount you actually paid and the amount you would have paid if the City of San Diego had not allegedly charged unlawful rates. Final payout amounts are not guaranteed and will depend on the total number of valid claims submitted and the court's final approval of the settlement.

How to File a Claim

1. Visit the official settlement website at SDWaterSettlement.com to confirm your eligibility and review the full settlement terms.
2. No claim form is required to benefit from this settlement — eligible class members may automatically receive a payment.
3. You may be asked to validate your contact information to ensure your payment is directed to the correct address or account.
4. Select your preferred payment method if prompted to do so on the settlement website.
5. Take action before the exclusion and objection deadline of September 28, 2026, if you wish to opt out of or object to the settlement.
6. Monitor SDWaterSettlement.com for updates ahead of the final approval hearing scheduled for December 11, 2026.

Case Details

Settlement: Patz v. City of San Diego, Case No. 37-2015-00023413-CU-MC-CTL, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of San Diego
Claim Deadline: [Contact settlement administrator at SDWaterSettlement.com for claim deadline details]
Exclusion and Objection Deadline: September 28, 2026
Final Approval Hearing: December 11, 2026
Settlement Website: SDWaterSettlement.com