Tijuana’s water utility is offering residents and business owners a chance to settle overdue accounts through installment plans, with a 75% discount on accumulated late fees for those who sign up.
Mónica Vega Aguirre, director of the Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana (CESPT), announced that a current government decree makes the penalty reduction available to anyone who formalizes a payment agreement. The offer applies to residential, commercial, and industrial accounts with outstanding balances.
How the Payment Plan Works
To enroll, account holders must visit the nearest CESPT public service center with a valid government-issued ID. CESPT has offices throughout Tijuana, including locations in Zona Río and the Otay area. If someone other than the account holder handles the process, a notarized power of attorney or equivalent written authorization is required.
Once staff review the submitted documents, CESPT proposes an initial payment amount along with a schedule of monthly installments. The agreement activates as soon as the account holder makes that first payment. The 75% discount on late fees applies automatically once the plan is formalized.
Why This Matters for Property Owners in Baja
CESPT is the government-run agency responsible for water distribution and wastewater management across the Tijuana and Rosarito corridor. It serves roughly two million residents. Water bills in the region are typically modest compared to U.S. rates, but late penalties can accumulate quickly, sometimes doubling or tripling the original balance over several billing cycles.
Property owners who rent out homes or spend part of the year outside Baja are particularly vulnerable to missed payments. Unpaid water debt in Mexico can eventually lead to service disconnection and complications during property sales, since a clearance letter from CESPT is often required to close a real estate transaction.
CESPT accepts payments at its offices, through self-service kiosks, and at OXXO convenience stores using an account number. The agency has not announced a deadline for the current discount program, though past promotions of this type have typically run for limited windows.
Vega Aguirre encouraged all account holders with past-due balances to take advantage of the program before the decree expires. The story was first reported by Jornada BC.