Living in Cedar Rapids? Then you receive essential services like water sewer stormwater management, and trash/recycling from the city’s Municipal Utilities department. When your bi-monthly Cedar Rapids utility bill arrives, you’ll want to know the easiest ways to pay it. This article outlines the numerous payment options offered by the city to keep your utilities account up-to-date.
Overview of Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities
The Municipal Utilities department provides water, sewer, stormwater, and sanitation services to Cedar Rapids residents and businesses Utilities like water, sewer, and trash pickup are vital to community health and the environment.
Some key facts about Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities:
- Provides services to over 130,000 residents
- Operates the water treatment plant, wastewater facility, landfill, and stormwater system
- Employs over 200 staff across the various utility divisions
- Governed by the Cedar Rapids City Council
- Overseen by the Utilities Director and department managers
Now let’s look at how to pay your utility bill to this essential city department.
Payment Options for Municipal Utilities Bills
The City of Cedar Rapids offers numerous options for paying your municipal utilities bill conveniently:
- Online payments
- Phone payments
- In-person payments
- Dropbox payments
- Mail-in payments
- AutoPay programs
Let’s outline the details for each payment method.
Paying Online
The easiest way to pay is online through the Cedar Rapids Customer Portal. Here’s how to pay your utility bill online:
- Visit www.cedar-rapids.org and go to the Pay Your Utilities Bill page
- Select “Access Customer Portal”
- Register your account if first time user
- Log in then select “Make Payment”
- Choose a payment method – eCheck, credit/debit card, PayPal
- Enter payment info and submit
Online payments post to your account within 1-2 days. It’s fast, secure, and convenient 24/7.
Paying by Phone
To pay by phone, call toll-free 1-888-821-2215 and provide your utility account number and payment details. Options include:
- eCheck with no fees
- Debit card
- Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex)
Phone payments are easy, taking just a few minutes when you have your information ready.
Paying In Person
To pay your utility bill in person with cash, check or money order, visit:
- Local Walmart Money Services counters
- Select Hy-Vee stores – check payments only
Funds paid in person post to your account within 1-3 days.
Using a Dropbox
The city offers drive-up and walk-up utility payment dropboxes:
- Walk-up: City Hall, 101 1st St SE
- Drive-up: Water Admin Building, 1111 Shaver Rd NE
Include your payment stub and drop off by noon for same-day posting.
Mailing In Your Payment
Mail checks or money orders to:
Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities
PO Box 3255
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3255
Allow 7-10 days for standard mail delivery and processing.
Signing Up for AutoPay
For hassle-free payments, enroll in AutoPay through the Customer Portal. Your bill amount is automatically deducted from your bank account each period.
AutoPay means no late fees or lapses in service. Payments deduct on the due date for on-time posting.
Payment Tips & Reminders
Follow these tips when paying your Cedar Rapids utility bill:
- Check your balance online before due date
- Pay early to avoid late fees if mailing check
- Notify the city if contact information changes
- Contact customer service with any bill questions
- Set payment reminders to avoid missed payments
- Use AutoPay for easy recurring payments
Paying on time keeps your account active and avoids extra fees or penalties. Use the convenient options above to pay your Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities bill.
There are several convenient ways to pay your municipal utilities bill.
The City of Cedar Rapids is excited to partner with Paymentus to provide an all-new utility bill payment system for Cedar Rapids residents. Our online Customer Portal combines convenience, a simplistic user interface and enhanced security to make payments easier than ever. Pay online using the payment method you prefer today!
Payment options include:
- ACH/eCheck, with no fees!
- Debit
- Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
- PayPal
Online payments are posted to your account in 1–2 business days. There is a $750.00 limit per transaction, unless you are using AutoPay.
To pay by phone, call 1-888-821-2215. Please have your utility account number and credit card information available when you call.
Payment options include:
- eCheck, with no fees!
- Debit
- Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
- Make cash, check, money order, credit, debit, or GreenDot payments at local WalMart Money Services counters.
- Pay by check at select local business pay stations (listed below).
|
Store |
Address |
Payment Options |
|---|---|---|
|
Hy-Vee Foods |
1843 Johnson Ave. NW |
Checks Only |
|
20 Wilson Ave. SW |
||
|
4035 Mt. Vernon Rd. SE |
Checks Only |
|
|
1556 1st Ave. NE |
Checks Only |
Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Drugstore locations not listed on the chart above are not able to accept Utility Bill Payments.
Community Pay Station payments are posted to your account within 3 business days. Please call customer service to note your account.
Drop box locations are listed below. Please include your payment stub. Check or money orders only. Payments received by Noon are posted same day. Payments received after Noon are posted next day.
- City Hall Walk-up Drop Box101 First Street SE Walk-up location on the northwest corner of City Hall, near the stairs on the east face of the building (just off the corner of 2nd Avenue SE and 1st Street.) Free temporary parking spots are available along 1st Street SE.
- Water Administration Building Drive-up Drop Box 1111 Shaver Road NE Located on the northeast corner of the Water Administration Building.
Mail check or money order payments to:
Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities PO Box 3255 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3255
Initiate an eCheck through your banks bill payment portal. Most local banks have the Cedar Rapids Utilities routing information on file. Youll simply need to provide your ten-digit utilities account number. You can find your account number printed on your bi-monthly bill. If your bank does not have our routing information on file, use our address: PO Box 3255, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3255.
If you need your utilities account number, contact Utilities Customer Service during regular business hours at 319-286-5900 or email [email protected].
How to Pay Utility Bills with Ucard (UnitedHealthCare)
How do I pay my utility bill in Cedar Rapids?
Make cash, check, money order, credit, debit, or GreenDot payments at local WalMart Money Services counters. Pay by check at select local business pay stations. The City of Cedar Rapids is excited to partner with Paymentus to provide an all-new utility bill payment system for Cedar Rapids residents.
How do I make a payment for Cedar Rapids Water?
The Cedar Rapids Water division works around the clock to provide Iowa’s best-tasting drinking water and high-quality service to our customers. Please note: online payments are now powered by Paymentus. Payments are posted to your account in 1–2 business days. If you need to make a time-sensitive payment, see payment options.
What payment methods does Cedar Rapids municipal utilities accept?
Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities partners with Paymentus to provide various payment means and formats. Through Paymentus, we accept ACH/eCheck with no transaction fees, debit card, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express), and PayPal.
What services does a Cedar Rapids utility bill cover?
Your Cedar Rapids Utility Bill, mailed every two months, covers a variety of services, including drinking water, sanitary and storm sewer, wastewater treatment, loose-leaf vacuum collection, and garbage/recycling/compost collection and disposal. Find out more at CityofCR.com/Utilities.