Living in the city of Riverside? Then you likely receive your electric, water, sewer, and trash services from Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) When your monthly RPU bill arrives, you’ll need to pay it by the due date to avoid any late fees or service interruptions
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain the various ways Riverside residents and businesses can pay their public utility bills conveniently and on time.
Online Payment Through RPU Website
The fastest and easiest way to pay your Riverside Public Utilities bill is online through the RPU website Here’s how simple it is
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Go to RPU’s online payment page
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Login or register for an account if paying for the first time
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Select “Pay Bill” and enter your payment info
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Review and submit – your payment will process instantly!
Paying online takes just seconds, can be done anytime day or night, and lets you view billing history and sign up for paperless billing. I highly recommend RPU customers setup an online account.
Pay Using the Riverside 311 App
Riverside’s 311 mobile app allows you to pay your RPU bill quickly right from your smartphone.
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Download the 311 app from your phone’s app store
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Login or register for an account
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Select Riverside Public Utilities and choose Pay Bill
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Enter your account and payment details to complete
This mobile payment option lets you pay on-the-go within the 311 app. Super convenient!
Pay by Phone
To pay your Riverside Public Utilities bill over the phone, call RPU Customer Service at (951) 826-5311.
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When prompted, select the menu option to make a payment
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Enter your RPU account number and address
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Provide payment details such as debit/credit card info
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Payment will process automatically through the automated system
Paying by phone takes just a few minutes when you don’t have time to visit an office or pay online.
Pay by Mail
To pay your RPU bill by mail, follow these steps:
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Detach the payment slip from your paper bill statement
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Write your RPU account number on your check or money order
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Mail your payment and slip in the envelope provided at least 7 days before due date
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Send to the address printed on your statement
While slower than other options, paying by mail can still be reliable for those who prefer it.
Pay In-Person
You can also pay your Riverside Public Utilities bill in-person at one of RPU’s customer service locations:
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Downtown Customer Service Center (3901 Orange St)
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Customer Resource Center (3025 Madison St)
Both locations accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards for bill payment. Hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, with Saturday hours 9am-12:30pm at the Downtown location.
In-person payment lets you handle your bill face-to-face during business hours.
Payment Plans and Budget Billing
Riverside Public Utilities offers payment plans and budget billing options to help customers manage utility costs.
Direct Pay Plan
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Auto-pay from your bank account each month
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Avoid late fees and free up time
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Payment amount determined by your usage
Level Pay Plan
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Pay a fixed amount every month
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Balances out seasonal highs and lows
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Annual settlement of over/under payment
Check if you qualify for these convenient billing plans. Using them can make paying your utility bill a breeze.
Avoid Late Fees and Service Disruptions
As you can see, Riverside Public Utilities offers many ways to pay your bill on time each month. I recommend paying online for fastest processing and signing up for paperless billing.
Be sure to pay your bill in full by the due date listed to avoid any late payment fees or potential service interruptions. Contact RPU immediately if you anticipate not being able to pay on time.
They want to keep your utilities on and avoid any collections actions. As long as you stay organized and take advantage of the payment options, paying your RPU bill will be quick and painless every month.
Understanding Your Riverside Public Utilities Bill
When your RPU bill arrives, you’ll want to look it over closely and understand exactly what you’re being charged for. Here are the key elements that make up your monthly utility bill:
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Water Usage – Based on cubic feet (CCF) used during the billing period. Check for leaks!
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Electric Usage – Based on kilowatt-hours (kWh) used during the billing period. Turn off lights!
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Customer Charge – Fixed monthly fee that covers service costs.
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Reliability Charge – Flat monthly fee for system upgrades and reliability.
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State Energy Charge – Special CA assessment on energy use.
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Network Access Charge – Recovers electric distribution system costs.
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City Services – Utility user tax, sewer, trash collection, etc.
Carefully review the billing periods and usage metrics that your charges are based on. Contact RPU with any bill questions.
Check for High Bills
If your RPU bill seems abnormally high, look for reasons like leaks, irrigation issues, vampire energy drain, or behavior changes. RPU’s website lists common causes of high bills and how to fix them. Monitoring your usage patterns can help avoid surprises.
Assistance Programs for Riverside Residents
Riverside Public Utilities offers assistance programs to help qualified low income residents manage their utility bills, including:
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SHARE – Provides utility bill discounts for seniors and disadvantaged households.
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Utilicare – Offers payment assistance for customers facing financial hardship.
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LIHEAP – Provides credits on utility bills through the federal low income home energy assistance program.
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ESA Program – Helps lower income households improve home energy efficiency.
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Medical Baseline – Offers lower rates for those with medical needs.
Check if you qualify for these money-saving RPU assistance programs. They help take pressure off paying monthly utility bills.
Benefits of Riverside Public Utilities
As a municipal utility owned by the City of Riverside, RPU offers excellent benefits to local residents and businesses, including:
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Lower rates with no profit motive
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Exceptional local customer service
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Community reinvestment of utility revenues
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Conservation and assistance programs
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Reliable services with smart grid upgrades
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Support for renewable energy and sustainability
RPU strives to serve the community with integrity and transparency. Paying your bill supports quality public power and water!
Paying Your Riverside Utility Bill
Riverside Public Utilities Online Account Enrollment
How do I pay my Riverside Public utilities bill?
Thank you for using Riverside Public Utilities’ electronic payment system provided through KUBRA. This service allows you to pay your utility bill by credit card, debit card or debiting your bank account. Please enter your account number and service address street number only. Service address as indicated on the image to the right.
Who is Riverside Public Utilities?
Riverside Public Utilities is a publicly-owned water and electric utility that has been providing efficient, reliable services throughout the City of Riverside since 1895. We are committed to providing the highest quality water and electric services at the lowest possible rates to benefit the community. Download the 311 App Today!
Does riverside public utilities offer a direct pay plan?
The Direct Pay Plan offers all residential and commercial customers served by Riverside Public Utilities the ability to have their utility payment paid directly from their preferred checking, savings and loan or credit union account. You no longer need to write a check to pay your utility bill.
What services does riverside offer?
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