Atascadero Mutual Water Company
Serving the colony since 1913
Setting Up Service
The following information is provided to help you understand Atascadero Mutual Water Company's (AMWC's) procedures and requirements for water service. As a condition of service, each shareholder (property owner) must abide by the policies, rates, bylaws, and regulations of AMWC. Refer to Policy 1.2.2 New Meter Application [pdf].
Transferring an Existing Water Service to Your Name
OWNERS: If you purchase a home or business in Atascadero that currently has water service, complete the online form by clicking on the Start Service button below or call the AMWC office at (805) 466-2428 as soon as your escrow has closed to have the account put into your name,
OWNERS WITH TENANTS: Because of AMWC’s status as a non-profit mutual water company, AMWC can only serve shareholders (legal owner with SLO County Assessor).
If an owner wishes for a property manager to receive a copy of the bill, shareholders can give them direct authorization to sign up for the online bill system where they can View/Print Bill and sign up for E-bill.
Tenants can receive a copy of the bill addressed to OCCUPANT at the Service Address, but no tenant information is collected and AMWC does not need to know when a tenant moves in/out.
Shareholder is ultimately responsible for payment of all charges.
Applying for a New Water Meter
In order for AMWC to provide service to your parcel, you will be required to complete a New Meter Application, have a current Will-Serve Letter Request on file, and provide a copy of the building permit for the parcel, prior to payment of the fees applicable to the parcel and installation of the water meter. It is up to you to determine the size of the water meter you will need for your project.
Will Serve Letters
A Will Serve Letter provides the conditions under which AMWC will provide water service to your property. You may be asked for a Will-Serve Letter Request during the building permit process with the City of Atascadero or the County of San Luis Obispo.
Accessory Dwelling Units
There are two options for the water service for an ADU. You may connect the ADU to the existing plumbing on the property and avoid paying connection (impact) and installation fees for a new meter. When construction of the ADU is complete, Atascadero Mutual Water Company (AMWC) will change your account records to show two units on the property and will bill you accordingly, which is twice the monthly minimum charge for a single-family residence.
You may need to upgrade some of the plumbing on the property to ensure adequate pressures and flows to the ADU. If the existing meter is found to be too small for fire sprinklers, it can be upgraded to a 1” meter for a minimum fee of $325 plus the cost to modify the existing service installation, if needed. Some property owners install a private sub-meter between the primary residence and the ADU to determine the water use of the ADU.
The second option is to have a new water meter installed for the ADU, which would require payment of both a connection fee and installation fee. The connection fee for a standard meter size (3/4”) is $19,600. Installation fees are charged on a time-and-materials basis, and a conservative estimate would be $5,000. Most property owners choose not to install a new water meter; however, you may wish to consider this if you plan to subdivide the property.
You may have already spoken with someone at the City of Atascadero regarding the City’s requirements; if not, we recommend you contact the City as we can only address questions related to the water service.