Where to pay your Riverside Public Utilities bill
Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) serves electric and water customers in Riverside, California. You can pay your bill online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at their payment locations. The fastest and most convenient method is online through your account on the RPU website — you can set it up in minutes without calling anyone.
Online payment through rpunet.com lets you pay immediately with a bank account or debit card. There is no fee for paying from your bank account directly. If you use a credit card, RPU charges a processing fee (the amount varies depending on the card type). You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month without you having to remember.
If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the address shown on your bill, call RPU's automated phone line at (951) 782-0600 to pay by phone, or visit one of their payment centers in person. Payment centers are located at RPU's main office and at several community locations around Riverside.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at rpunet.com with no fee if you use your bank account, or set up automatic monthly payments to avoid late fees.
- Phone payment through (951) 782-0600 is available 24/7 and takes a few minutes if you have your bill handy.
- Mail payments should be sent to the address on your bill and take 7 to 10 days to reach RPU, so send them early to avoid late fees.
- In-person payment at RPU offices or authorized payment centers is an option if you prefer to hand over payment directly.
- Late fees apply if your payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill, regardless of which payment method you use.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payment is the simplest way to make sure your bill is paid on time every month. Log into your account on rpunet.com, go to the billing section, and select the option to set up autopay. You choose the payment date (usually the due date on your bill), and RPU withdraws the amount from your bank account automatically.
You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your online account. If your bill amount changes month to month (which is normal for electric and water bills), you can set autopay to charge the full amount due, or you can keep it manual and adjust the amount yourself each month. Many customers find that autopay removes the stress of remembering a due date, especially if you have multiple bills.
Understanding your bill due date and late fees
Your bill due date is printed on the front of your bill statement, usually 18 to 20 days after the bill is issued. If you do not pay by that date, RPU adds a late fee to your next bill. The late fee amount depends on your bill size, but it is typically a percentage of the amount owed.
If your payment is more than 30 days late, RPU may disconnect your service. Before disconnection happens, you will receive a notice in the mail giving you time to pay or contact RPU to discuss a payment plan. If you are struggling to pay your bill, contact RPU directly before the due date — they have programs that may help, and they are more likely to work with you if you reach out first.
How to read your Riverside Public Utilities bill
Your RPU bill shows your account number, service address, current charges, and the amount due. The bill breaks down charges into categories: the base service charge (a fixed monthly fee), usage charges (based on how much electricity or water you used), and any taxes or other fees.
The usage section shows your meter reading from this month and last month, so you can see how much you actually consumed. If your bill seems unusually high, check whether your usage jumped — this often happens in summer when air conditioning runs more, or in winter when heating increases. You can also compare your current bill to the same month last year to spot patterns.
At the bottom of your bill, you will see the due date, the amount due, and payment instructions. If you have questions about specific charges, you can call RPU's customer service at (951) 782-0600 and ask them to explain any line item on your bill.
What to do if you cannot pay your bill on time
If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact RPU before the deadline. Call (951) 782-0600 and explain your situation. RPU offers payment arrangements that let you spread the cost over several months instead of paying the full amount at once. You will need to agree to a specific payment schedule, and you must keep up with those payments to avoid disconnection.
Riverside also has utility assistance programs for low-income households. The Community Action Partnership and other local nonprofits offer bill payment help. You can search for programs through 211.org or by calling 2-1-1 from any phone in California. These programs may cover part or all of your bill, but they have income limits and limited funding, so availability changes throughout the year.
Checking your account balance and payment history online
Log into your RPU account at rpunet.com to see your current balance, recent payments, and billing history. You can view bills from the past 24 months, download statements as PDFs, and see exactly when each payment was received. This is useful if you want to confirm that a payment you mailed has arrived, or if you need to dispute a charge.
Your online account also shows your usage history month by month, which helps you understand whether your consumption is going up or down. Some customers use this to spot problems — for example, a sudden spike in water usage might indicate a leak. If you see something unusual, you can contact RPU to report it or request a meter check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to pay my bill online?
No fee if you pay from your bank account directly through rpunet.com. If you use a credit card, RPU charges a processing fee that varies by card type. Paying by phone or mail has no fee.
What happens if I pay after the due date?
RPU adds a late fee to your next bill. If your payment is more than 30 days late, you will receive a disconnection notice. Contact RPU before that happens to set up a payment plan and avoid service interruption.
Can I change my payment due date?
You cannot change the due date that RPU assigns, but you can pay early anytime. If you set up automatic payments, you choose the date the payment is withdrawn from your account — you can pick a date that works better for your budget.
How long does it take for a mailed payment to be received?
Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 days to arrive at RPU. Send your payment at least two weeks before the due date to make sure it arrives on time and avoids a late fee.
What should I do if I think my bill is wrong?
Call RPU customer service at (951) 782-0600 with your bill in front of you. They can explain any charge and check your meter reading. If you believe there is an error, they can investigate and adjust your bill if warranted.