San Diego Water Rate Settlement: Who Gets a Refund and How

• Being in the class does not by itself mean a refund is due. The Court-approved calculation compares what each customer paid with what that customer would have paid without the unlawful rates.
• Only customers the calculation identifies as overcharged will receive money. The notice does not give individual dollar amounts; each qualifying customer’s refund depends on that customer’s share of the net settlement fund.

• No claim form or other additional step is required to receive a refund if the calculation identifies you as overcharged.
• You may confirm your current contact details and select paper check or an electronic payment method. The notice also says qualifying customers may be asked to validate their contact information.
• The notice does not say that customers must provide bills, proof of loss, or other supporting documents.

• The City will place $40 million into the settlement fund.
• Court-approved settlement administration costs, lawyers’ fees and expenses, and any approved payments to the class representatives come out of that fund before qualifying customers share the net fund.
• Administration is expected to cost no more than $199,000, subject to court approval. The lawyers plan to request up to $13,333,333.33 in fees, up to $500,000 in expense reimbursement, and $7,500 for each class representative; none of those requests is guaranteed.

• Any money remaining after the claims process is complete will be donated to an organization approved by the Court.
• The notice says the Court has approved the Sierra Club, California Water Committee, including the San Diego chapter, as the recipient.

• If you stay in the settlement and do nothing, you remain bound by its release. This generally means you cannot bring, continue, or join another lawsuit against the City about the issues in this case.
• Leaving the settlement (opting out) means you will not receive a settlement payment and cannot object, but you will not be bound by the settlement and may be able to bring your own case.
• You may object and remain in the class. That preserves your ability to receive a settlement payment if you otherwise qualify.

The notice does not specify whether the September 28 deadline means receipt or postmark, or whether email is an accepted opt-out method. Confirm delivery requirements with the administrator at 1-888-903-0334 or [email protected] before sending your request.

• To opt out, complete the opt-out form available through the settlement website and send it to the Settlement Administrator by September 28, 2026.
• The form must include your name, address, telephone number, and signature.
• The notice lists the Settlement Administrator’s mailing address as PO Box 19504, Irvine, CA 92623.

This is a summary, not the complete filing checklist. Notice pages 11–12 also address the property owner, the scope of the objection, attorney involvement and prior objections. Follow those pages for all requirements. The notice refers to filing with the Court but displays both Court and administrator mailing addresses without clearly saying whether both need a copy; ask the administrator to clarify delivery.

• An objection must be received by September 28, 2026.
• It must identify the case, give the objector’s contact and water-service information, explain the reasons for the objection, and be signed.
• It also must disclose lawyers who helped with the objection and state whether the objector or lawyer plans to appear at the final approval hearing.

• The Court will hold a hearing at 9:00 a.m. on December 11, 2026, to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement.
• Payments can be made only if the Court approves the settlement. The notice does not provide a payment date.
• Attendance is not required. You may attend at your own expense and may ask permission to speak. The hearing date may change without another notice to class members.

The notice directs customers to https://www.sdwatersettlement.com/ to check an estimated refund and choose a payment method. When checked on September 9, 2026, that official site displayed an under-construction message, so those functions could not be verified. Contact CPT Group at 1-888-903-0334 or [email protected] for help. The notice says a claim is not required; the website outage does not establish a new deadline or change that rule.