Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has announced a temporary pause on disconnections of gas and water services for nonpayment and a suspension of all late fees for the month of November. This proactive measure is being implemented to help ease the financial burden on residents impacted by the ongoing impacts of the federal government shutdown. 

The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps many households cover heating costs – including natural gas, is currently paused due to the shutdown. This interruption in funding has created financial uncertainty for customers who rely on the program during the colder months. 

The Department of Social Services (DSS) continues to accept applications for LIHEAP to prepare for when the program resumes. Residents are encouraged to apply before the Friday, November 14 deadline to ensure timely review once funding is reinstated. Review and approvals will occur when the temporary pause is lifted. During the 2024 heating season, LIHEAP funding assisted 1,227 DPU natural gas customers for a total of $550,757. 

Customers are also encouraged to take advantage of other permanent affordability programs, including:  

• PromisePay Payment Plans – DPU has teamed up with PromisePay to offer flexible and convenient payment plans for customers who have fallen behind on their utility bills. Any customer with an overdue balance can sign up for a PromisePay payment plan for their outstanding balance at Richmond.promise-pay.com. The PromisePay portal allows users to choose from a range of payment plan options, set up automatic payments and provide contact information for payment reminders and other account notifications via text message. 
• MetroCare Water Program – The water bill payment assistance program offers financial support to eligible families and individuals who are struggling to pay their primary water bills due to financial difficulties. To apply, ratepayers can receive up to $500 per applicant if approved. 
• MetroCare Heat Program – The Heating Bill Payment Assistance Program provides funds to eligible families and individuals who are struggling to pay their primary heating bills due to financial difficulties or other special hardships. The program period begins on December 15th. Residents within Richmond Gas Works' service territory may apply for funds through MetroCare.
• MetroCare Water Conservation Program – This program offers financial assistance to eligible homeowners for plumbing repairs and the replacement of water-inefficient appliances with EPA WaterSense products in order to conserve water and reduce wasteful consumption. The program includes an audit of all eligible homeowners approved by the Department of Energy as a way to improve water use efficiency. 
• SeniorCare Program – This program is designed to meet the specific needs of seniors aged 65 and above in the Richmond metropolitan community. Seniors can enroll in this program and access benefits such as Winter Service Assurance, no late fees, waiver of security deposit, annual weatherization kit giveaways and third-party notification.
• Equal Monthly Payment Plan – The EMPP budget plan spreads your annual gas bill over 12 months. The estimated monthly payment is based on the previous year’s natural gas usage. 

“DPU recognizes that many of our customers are affected by this disruption and may be facing financial hardship,” said Scott Morris, Senior Director of Public Utilities. “Our goal is to provide support and stability for our community while federal funding processes are temporarily on hold.”  

For more information, call (804) 646-4646 or visit rva.gov/public-utilities/billing and follow Richmond DPU on social media at @RichmondDPU. 

DPU is proactively correcting bills and reducing the average bill of impacted customers by nearly 15% 

Richmond, VA — On October 17, the City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) identified an equipment failure that resulted in the corruption of utility meter reading data for less than 5,000 customers on Richmond’s Southside. DPU took swift action and immediately delayed billing to those impacted customers to prevent incorrect bills. After an extensive review of the data over the last two weeks, a single, correct bill will be issued to impacted customers reflecting both the previous and current billing period.

To help offset the inconvenience of this disruption to the billing cycle, the combined bill will only include base fees for one month — a reduction of about $40 – $50, or nearly15% for the average customer.

“Our goal is to deliver best in class service to our customers. That starts with consistent and reliable billing, but that doesn’t mean issues won’t arise. Service rises to elite status, when we proactively correct issues and our customers can have confidence that we will do what it takes to get it right,” said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. “This small adjustment is the first step in building that transparency and trust with our customers.”

What impacted customers need to know

• This month’s bills will reflect usage fees for both the previous and current billing cycle.
• This month‘s bill will reflect base fees for just one billing cycle — a reduction of about $40 for water and wastewater customers and about $50 for water, wastewater, and gas customers, or about 15% for the average customer.
• No late fees will be charged.

DPU is also enhancing its meter reading technology for the vehicles that collect utility meter data to improve reliability. That new equipment has been purchased and will be tested and installed over the next several weeks citywide. DPU is committed to serving our customers and ensuring billing accuracy, I am very appreciative to the staff that have worked tirelessly to resolved this as quickly as possible. DPU continues to enhance our billing and utility infrastructure citywide, all of our customers will continue to benefit from better, more efficient technology,” said DPU Director Scott Morris. 

For questions, customers may contact the DPU Customer Care Center at 804-646-4646 or dpucustserv@rva.gov.

As temperatures drop, it’s important to winterize your sprinkler system before freezing weather hits. Waiting too long can lead to burst pipes, flooding and expensive repairs in the spring. When water is left inside your sprinkler lines, valves or backflow device, it freezes and expands. That pressure can split or crack pipes, even those buried underground. Many people assume their sprinkler pipes are safe because they’re below the frost line. However, in most yards, sprinkler lines aren’t buried deep enough to be protected from the cold.

Why You Should Winterize

Failing to winterize can cause:

• Cracked pipes or valves
• Leaks and flooding
• Costly repairs in the spring
• Higher water bills from unnoticed damage

Step-by-Step: How to Winterize for Beginners

1. Turn Off the Water Supply

Locate the main shutoff valve for your sprinkler system. It’s usually near your home’s water meter or inside a basement or crawl space. Turn the valve clockwise to shut it off. If the valve is outside, wrap it with foam insulation or a towel inside a plastic bag to protect it from freezing.

2. Turn Off or Adjust the Controller

Your sprinkler controller (the box that runs your watering schedule) should be turned off for the season.

Option 1: Set it to “Rain Mode” to keep all settings saved while preventing the system from running.

Option 2: Unplug the controller completely. You’ll need to reset the time and date in the spring.

3. Drain the Water from the System

Water left inside pipes is the main cause of winter damage. There are two main ways to remove it:

• Manual Drain Method
  
  • Locate the manual drain valves, which are typically located at the lowest points of your system, usually in the basement or crawl spaces. Open them to let the water flow out. Once drained, close the valves.
• Automatic Drain Method:
  
  • Some systems have automatic drain valves that open when water pressure drops. After turning off the main water valve, run one sprinkler zone briefly to relieve pressure. The automatic valves will open and release the water.

4. Detach and Store Hoses

Remove any hoses connected to outdoor faucets and store them indoors. This prevents freezing and extends their lifespan.

Act Now Before It’s Too Late

Winterizing early protects your sprinkler system, saves you from costly repairs and ensures your system will work perfectly come spring. Don’t wait for the first freeze; winterize your sprinkler system today to protect your home and your wallet.

RICHMOND, Va. (Oct. 21, 2025) — The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will host a hiring event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Main Street Station to fill several open positions.

Job seekers will have the opportunity to meet with hiring managers, learn about available roles and potentially receive on-the-spot job offers.

DPU is recruiting for several positions, including:

• Utility field specialist
• Gas and water field specialist senior
• Utility pipeline technician
• Equipment operator principal
• Equipment operator senior
• Plant operator
• Utility plant specialist

“We’re looking for highly motivated individuals who want to build long-term, meaningful careers serving their community,” said DPU Senior Director Scott Morris. “This event is a great opportunity to meet our dedicated team; learn about the exceptional work we do on a daily basis and take the next step in your career.”

Applicants are encouraged to apply here in advance, but walk-ins are welcome. Attendees should bring multiple copies of their resumes and be prepared for on-site interviews.

The event will be held at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St., Richmond, with free parking available. The location is also accessible by public transportation.

For more information about the event or current job openings, visit rva.gov/public-utilities or follow @RichmondDPU on social media.

About the Department of Public Utilities
The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities provides natural gas, water, wastewater, stormwater and streetlight services to more than 500,000 customers in the Richmond metropolitan area. DPU is committed to safety, reliability and innovation in delivering essential utility services that support the region’s residents, businesses and environment.

RICHMOND, Va. (October 21, 2025) — The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is helping residents stay warm and save energy this winter by distributing free weatherization kits to seniors age 65 and older. The kits will be available at three locations across the city this fall, while supplies last. 

Each weatherization kit includes energy-saving materials such as insulating weather stripping, draft-stopping outlet covers, and an energy-efficient light bulb. These simple items can help residents reduce drafts and lower heating costs during the colder months. 

Distribution events will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates: 

• Thursday, October 23— Southside Community Services Center, 4100 Hull Street Road
• Thursday, November 6 — East District Initiative, 701 North 25th Street
• Thursday, November 13 — Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center, 5300 Chamberlayne Road, Suite 3 

Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. 

“Helping Richmond residents prepare for colder weather is an important part of our mission to serve the community,” said Rhonda Johnson, DPU’s Senior Public Information Officer. “These weatherization kits offer simple, affordable ways for seniors to improve comfort and reduce energy use at home.” 

For more information, visit rva.gov/public-utilities or follow Richmond DPU on social media at @RichmondDPU.