Paying your water bill is an essential part of being a responsible resident in Richmond Virginia. The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) provides water wastewater, and stormwater services to over 250,000 residents in the Richmond metro area. They make paying your water bill quick and easy through various online, phone, mail, and in-person options. This article will walk you through the different ways to pay your Richmond water bill, as well as provide tips, programs, and resources for managing your water bill.
Ways to Pay Your Richmond Water Bill
Pay Online
The easiest way to pay your water bill is online through DPU’s online payment system, EZ-Pay. To pay online, you simply need your DPU account number and billing zip code. EZ-Pay accepts debit cards, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts. Payments over $500 inclusive of fees cannot be processed online. The convenience fee for online payments is $2.25.
DPU encourages customers to sign up for MyHQ which allows you to view current and past bills online and set up automatic payments.
Pay by Phone
Call DPU’s call center at (804) 646-4646 to pay by phone during business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, except holidays) The self-service payment option is also available 24/7 by calling (804) 646-4646 and selecting option 2. As with online payments, you will need to provide your DPU account number and billing zip code.
Pay by Mail
To pay by mail, write your DPU account number on the check or money order and mail it to:
City of Richmond
Department of Public Utilities
P.O. Box 70621
Philadelphia, PA 19176-0621
Pay in Person
You can pay your water bill in person at:
- City Hall Finance Office, 900 E. Broad St., Room 102
- City Hall drop box on 10th Street side
- Southside Community Service Center, 4100 Hull St.
- East District Center drop box
Cash payments can only be made at the Southside Community Service Center location.
Other Ways to Pay
- Sign up for automatic monthly payments directly from your bank account
- Use a third party bill pay service from your bank
No matter how you decide to pay, be sure to pay by the due date on your water bill to avoid late fees and service disruption.
Tips for Managing Your Water Bill
Paying your water bill on time is important, but high water bills can stretch your budget. Use these tips to keep your water usage and bills under control:
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Check for leaks: Dripping faucets and leaking toilets can waste hundreds of gallons of water per month. Inspect fixtures and watch your water meter for unexplained usage.
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Install water efficient fixtures: Replacing old showers, toilets, faucets, and washing machines with EPA WaterSense models can significantly reduce water usage.
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Modify irrigation systems: Adjust sprinkler run times with the seasons and check for broken sprinkler heads.
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Take shorter showers: Cut just a few minutes off your shower time to save up to 25 gallons per shower.
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Turn off the tap: When brushing teeth, shaving, washing dishes, etc. don’t let the water run unnecessarily.
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Full loads: Only run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads to maximize efficiency.
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Check for rebates: Ask DPU about possible rebates on water efficient fixtures and appliances to help offset upfront costs.
Assistance Programs
If you are having trouble paying your water bill, DPU offers programs and resources to help:
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PromisePay: Offers flexible payment plans to pay off outstanding balances over time.
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Equal Monthly Payment Plan: Estimated annual bill is split into 12 even monthly payments to help budget.
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MetroCare Water Assistance: Provides bill credits or plumbing repair assistance to qualified low income households.
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Payment arrangements: Call DPU at (804) 646-4646 to discuss options if you are unable to pay the full amount due.
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Leak adjustments: DPU may provide a credit adjustment if a leak on your side of the meter caused unusually high usage.
Non-profit organizations like United Way and Salvation Army also have programs that may provide financial assistance with water bills for those in need.
Contact DPU
If you have any questions about your water bill, available programs, payment assistance, or managing water usage, contact the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities:
Phone: (804) 646-4646
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.rva.gov/public-utilities
Address: 730 E. Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Paying your water bill doesn’t have to be a hassle. With multiple payment options and assistance programs, DPU aims to make paying for this essential service as smooth as possible for Richmond residents. Monitoring your usage, fixing leaks, and taking advantage of payment plans and credits can help keep your water bill affordable.

This Richmond family’s water bill is usually $120. Now, it’s over $3,000.
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