How to Pay Your Richmond Public Utilities Bill Online

It is very important to pay your utility bill on time every month. You can pay your bill online, over the phone, through the mail, or in person at the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU). This guide will show you the different ways you can pay online and on your phone through DPU’s website and online payment portal.

Overview of Payment Options

DPU offers the following ways to pay your utilities bill:

• MyHQ – The preferred online payment portal where you can enroll for e-bills, make one-time or recurring payments, and manage your account.

• PromisePay – Set up flexible payment plans if you’re unable to pay your full balance.

• Automatic Payments – Have your monthly bill automatically deducted from your bank account

• E-Z Pay – Make one-time payments online by credit/debit card or bank account.

• Phone – Call the DPU Call Center at (804) 646-4646.

• Mail – Send your payment to the address provided on your bill stub.

• In Person – Pay at City Hall, select Drop Boxes, or the Southside Community Service Center.

• Cash Payments – Take your payment slip to a participating retailer like Walmart.

Read on for more details about the convenient online and mobile options offered by DPU for paying your utilities bill.

Paying Online Through MyHQ

The recommended way to pay your DPU bill online is through the MyHQ payment portal. MyHQ provides a number of benefits over other payment options:

• Securely save your payment information for faster future payments
• View and download PDFs of current and past bills
• Set up automatic recurring payments
• Receive notifications when your bill is ready
• No convenience fees on payments

To get started with MyHQ, visit https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/billing and click on the MyHQ link. You’ll be redirected to the MyHQ website to either sign in if you already have an account, or sign up for a new account.

Creating an account only takes a few minutes. You’ll need to provide your DPU account number and some basic contact information. Your account number can be found on your most recent utility bill.

Once your MyHQ account is set up, you’ll be able to securely save your bank account or card information to streamline future payments. You can also opt in to receive notifications when your bill is ready, set up automatic payments, and view PDFs of previous bills.

MyHQ provides a fast, easy way to pay your DPU bill online without any fees. It’s the recommended option for managing your City of Richmond utilities account online.

PromisePay Installment Plans

If you can’t pay your full balance because you’re having trouble with money, DPU offers flexible payment plans through PromisePay. With PromisePay, you can divide your outstanding balance into smaller payments that are made to you automatically over time.

To get started with PromisePay, visit richmond.promise-pay.com. You’ll select a payment plan that works for your budget, provide your DPU account number, and input your payment information.

PromisePay offers several benefits if you need some extra time to pay your utilities bill:

• Choose weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly installments
• Set up automatic payments from your bank account
• Receive text and email reminders about upcoming payments
• Avoid late fees while paying down your balance

Keep in mind that PromisePay is only for past-due bills; you’ll still have to pay any new fees every month on top of your installment plan.

Paying by Credit/Debit Card with E-Z Pay

DPU offers E-Z Pay as a way to make quick one-time payments by credit card, debit card, or bank account online. While E-Z Pay is easy to use, it does come with a $2.25 processing fee per transaction.

To make a payment with E-Z Pay, go to https://v51.ez-pay.io/Validate.aspx?billerid=Ze09usab3d and enter your DPU account number and the zip code of your service address. You’ll then input your card or bank account information to complete the payment.

E-Z Pay processes most payments instantly with immediate confirmation. If you need to pay your bill quickly and don’t mind the fee, this could be a good choice. To avoid fees, though, MyHQ is the best way to pay most bills on a regular basis.

One limitation with E-Z Pay is that transactions over $500 including the $2.25 fee will not be accepted. So it’s better suited for smaller dollar payments.

Paying by Phone

If you prefer to speak with a customer service agent to process your payment, you can call the DPU Call Center at (804) 646-4646. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, except on holidays.

When you call, just let the agent know you want to make a payment on your utilities account. They’ll ask for your account number and take payment by credit card over the phone. There is also a self-service payment option available 24/7 by choosing Option 2 at the prompt.

Paying by phone is quick and convenient, but does come with potential wait times to speak with an agent during business hours. Just make sure to call before 5:00pm for same day payment processing.

Paying by Mail

To pay your utilities bill by check or money order through the mail, you can send your payment stub and payment to:

City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities
P.O. Box 70621
Philadelphia, PA 19176-0621

Just make your check or money order payable to City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities. Allow 5-7 business days for your mailed payment to be received and processed to avoid late fees.

Paying by mail involves added time for mailing and processing compared to electronic payments. But it can be a good option if you prefer to pay by check or don’t have online bill pay setup with your bank.

In-Person Payment Locations

DPU offers several locations around Richmond where you can drop off or pay your bill in person:

• City Hall Finance Office (Room 102)
• City Hall Drop Box
• East District Center Drop Box
• Southside Community Service Center

Cash payments are accepted at the Southside Community Service Center location. The drop boxes allow you to submit your payment by check without having to wait in line.

Paying in person allows you to get same day receipt of your payment. Just double check hours and locations to make sure they are open for bill payment when you plan to visit.

Paying Cash at Retail Locations

Through the EZ PayCash program, DPU offers the option to make cash payments for your utilities bill at participating retailers like Walmart. You’ll take your payment slip barcode to the retailer and pay your bill plus a convenience fee with cash.

To use this option:

1. Generate an EZ PayCash barcode through the EZ Pay website or mobile app.

2. Take the printed or mobile barcode to the participating retailer.

3. Tell the cashier how much you want to pay and hand them cash to cover the bill and fee.

4. Keep your receipt as confirmation and proof of payment.

Paying with the EZ PayCash barcode allows you to easily make a cash payment without having to visit a DPU customer service location during business hours. Just look up nearby participating retailers on the EZ Pay website when generating your barcode.

Choose the Best Payment Method for You

DPU offers flexible options to pay your utilities bill online, by phone, in person or by mail.

MyHQ is the recommended online payment portal to avoid fees and easily manage your account. But EZ Pay, phone payments, and in-person payments can also be good alternatives in certain situations.

If you’re having trouble paying on time this month, consider setting up a PromisePay installment plan. And you can use the EZ PayCash barcode system to conveniently pay your bill with cash at retailers.

So review the pros and cons and find the payment options that fit best with your needs each month. DPU’s website makes it easy to pay your utilities bill with just a few quick clicks or taps.