The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities has announced changes to utility rates effective from July 1, 2025. The adjustments, approved by the Richmond City Council, are expected to increase the average customer’s bill by approximately $11.25 per month.
To enhance payment accessibility and affordability, the department has removed convenience fees for credit card and ACH payments as of June 30, 2025. This change could lead to cost savings for customers who frequently use payment platforms such as MyHQ, EZ-Pay, or PromisePay. Additionally, the single payment limit has been increased to $1,000 for credit cards and $100,000 for ACH payments.
The revised utility rates cover natural gas, water, wastewater, and stormwater services. For natural gas, the average residential customer will see a monthly increase of about $3.31 due to fixed distribution and customer charges. Water service users consuming 6 Ccfs per month will experience a rise of $2.36 on their bills. Wastewater customers using the same volume can expect an increase of $4.54 monthly.
Stormwater rates are determined by the amount of impervious area on a property. Single-family residents will see their bills rise by $1.04 on average each month based on specific tiers defined by square footage.
The Department emphasizes its commitment to delivering safe and reliable utility services while offering various assistance programs for those struggling with payments:
– “PromisePay Payment Plans – DPU partners with PromisePay to bring flexible and convenient payment plans for customers who are behind on their utility bills.”
– “MetroCare Water Program – This water bill payment assistance program provides funds to eligible families and individuals who are having difficulty paying their primary water bills due to financial concerns.”
– “MetroCare Heat Program – This heating bill payment assistance program provides funds to eligible families and individuals who are having trouble paying their primary heating bills due to a financial difficulty or other special hardship.”
– “MetroCare Water Conservation Program – This program provides financial assistance to eligible customers who are homeowners for plumbing repairs and the replacement of water-inefficient appliances with EPA WaterSense products.”
– “SeniorCare Program – This program caters to the unique needs of seniors 65 years of age and older in the Richmond metropolitan community.”
Customers needing more information or wishing to discuss account services can visit rva.gov/public-utilities/billing or contact (804) 646-4646.
