Penny at Riverside Public Utilities is the kind of patient, helpful, above-and-beyond service rep who could single-handedly change their Yelp rating. It is refreshing to write a review about a positive experience with Riverside Public Utilities, especially when most of the few other Yelp reviews are quite negative. While it is normal to perceive any business as disorganized when we expect the best service, the difference is made by willing and capable, hard-working people like Penny. When I called today--almost at closing time--she still took the time to go through my bill detail by detail. That was refreshing, especially after such a long, weather-challenging day. It would be wonderful if every service representative were like Penny. She should be promoted and given the opportunity to train the team. read more

The electric bill was outrageous. I just moved from Eastvale and now I regret it. I used to pay $120 a month for a house twice the size of this one and I just got a bill for almost $300. It's just me and my son and we're never home so how is it that I spent that kind of money on electricity if nobody's home read more

Shut off my power when my next payment isn't due in a week and I always make my payments on time

I know that a lot of folks like to hate on RPU because of billing issues or rates, but in terms of keeping safe and reliable electric power flowing to Riverside residents I have had nothing but GOOD experiences. About twenty years ago we had a power failure at our house. After determining that our neighbors DID have power we called RPU. A city crew quickly showed up, PULLED the meter (only the city can legally do that) and resolved the issue. In October of 2023 we had a loss of power to about half the outlets in a different house in Riverside. The electrician we called told us that our city service line was compromised and told us to contact the RPU. https://www.yelp.com/biz/all-city-electrical-and-lighting-riverside-6?osq=allcity+electric&override_cta=Request+quote+%26+availability#reviews. An RPU crew came out within an HOUR and resolved the problem. Do you think SoCal Edison would even come close? read more

Tried to pay a bill today. It's under my husbands name. We have the same last name. The lady said I couldn't use his CC. Only he could. I told her he's my husband and I pay the bills since he works. Wasn't allowed to which I find ridiculous. The name on the bill and the CC match, plus our last names. It's not like I'm paying peoples bills. It was a waste of my time and it's ridiculous that as a wife, I'm not allowed to pay our bills. You're getting the money, so I don't get the problem is. Also, only two people working with a long line that barely moved. You need to hire more people. read more

Okay so no one told you to send and charge us for services notices they began charging 31 dollars for sending notices no one told you guys to send notices to us and charge us .they don't even bother emailing you or sending it through mail this company is nothing but a scam we had hella power outages and yet they still charge you and meter still runs I will be filing a law sue against this scam of a company who just wants to take money out of hard working people instead of charging the ridiculous fees for no reason read more

This is ridiculous!!! Frequent power outages in summer and fall/winter time, with little to no effort to get it up and running for residents in a timely manner. You call and they never know when the power will be back on, and say "well the standard is 5 hours." Are you kidding me?!!! We pay through the nose for these services every month just to have to "put up" with these inconveniences and have no choice!! So inconsiderate of your hardworking, paying customers Riverside Utilities! No one should have to pay upwards $500-600 dollars a month to do without power this long! Unacceptable! read more

ayudaaa no cuento con un seguro social y Nesecito el servicio de luz porfavor recién llegue de México por solicitud de asilo no cuento con seguro social read more

Long wait for customer service almost 20 minute no answering. Poor customer service and overcharging and charging for bogus nonsense.

As I recently moved into Riverside county, Today I went and tried to request services for water and power and when I provided my counselor card and Mexican passport along with my original ITIN document, the person servicing me said it was illegal to request services with that type of documentation. The way she said it and the attitude she had made me feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome and discriminated to a certain extend. She completely denied my application and said she couldn't help me until I had a valid visa to make it a legal application. read more

Received my first bill and they spelled my last name incorrectly. Their online payment portal only allows you to add a bank account if you want to sign up for autopay, so I did, and double checked my bank account info before submitting. Later my payment is rejected and they charge me $25. They'll blame you automatically for the rejected payment and charge you a fee before you can even resubmit payment. Maybe go through the trouble to pay in person so these crooks can't make excuses to take more money from you. read more

Shady Utility company. Received 48 hr water shut off notice and actually got water shut off on the SAME day, then charged me $60 to reconnect. Wow! I know times are hard, but being sneaky to get revenue, thats a new low. shame, shame.. To bad there isnt another respectable utility co. near us read more

Riverside Public Utilities - Public Services & Government Near Me - Riverside, California

I had a great experience, the customer service was great. They were able to answer all my questions. I was able to turn on services, and then after that apply for the share program around the coroner in the same building. read more

I called the hotline to get the hours for Saturday, downtown riverside locations is open from 9-1230. I show up at 9:50am and the doors are locked!! Some of us can't pay bills till the weekend, don't say you're open and not be open!!! read more

I called the 311 number to get my damaged green trash container replaced 5 months ago. i have called 10 times since then and was told that it would take up to several months to replace. As of today, it has not been replaced. read more

I have been with Riverside Public Utilities for 5 years, never a problem great customer services. I am sure we all have a complaint on pricing, however the workers do a phenomenal job with customer service. read more

Riverside Public Utilities - Public Services & Government Near Me - Riverside, California

If You are Getting Shut Off Ask You Self are you Not seeing The Bills?? I Have Good Luck With Riverside I am Told If I pay On it Every Week That They wont Shut me off and there Help with the city if you are low income and need help read more

Worst service in the industry ever. I'm still on the phone with them! It's been over three months of trying to install my electrical meter and getting green lights from electrical engineers and pulling permits left and right. I'm on the phone with them and they send me from one department to the next not having any idea who I should speak too, then if I AM sent to the right department, they don't have the courtesy to keep you on call, they hang up or send you to voicemail and have to restart the process ALL OVER. Needs new management, needs new top management, needs new frontline employees, EVERYTHING. This business is a liability to contractors and home owners. read more

I have to write a review for CRPU. Wonderful to work with... EXCELLENT customer service! I had a very complicated situation, Spoke with Adrienne, Torry and Cindy...all excellent! ALL VERY PROFESSIONAL! Problem solved! Excellent to do business with! read more

Brought my new born baby home to have RPU shut off electricity on our entire block for a black out. I'd love to shut off auto payments with these a holes read more

I hope that Southern California Edison will take over Riverside Public Utilities soon ! SCE offers senior or whatever discount. I dont trust RPU. read more

Riversiders are fortunate to have electric, water, trash, and other utilities from the City of Riverside. Rates are lower than most of the private utilities. Anytime I've had a problem the City has been responsive, helpful, and efficient. Workers are courteous and professional. The bill pay webpage could be improved; but it's a small deficiency that isn't that critical, and given all of the benefits of the City utilities, the overall service is a 5 star! read more

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GIVE NO STARS? riverside utilities owes me $30.42. And instead of sending me a check to pay that credit... they charged my account $89.88!! I don't even live in riverside anymore and I have cut my utilities already! TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, stop taking people's money. I dont care what kind of IT mishap you guys have but this is truly u acceptable. I want my $124.83 back!!! read more

Riverside Public Utilities - RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES SHADY AF. Charged me money i dont owe them. I WANT MY MONEY BACK! - Public Services & Government Near Me - Riverside, California

Worst government run company I have ever felt with. I am one of the residents that wasn't charged their "sewage" fee for the entire time I lived in my apartment, then I get a bill for $600 when I move out. Was told I could have a payment plan set up, the. Told because I moved I had 30 days then going to collections. These people talk to you like you are a moron, even though it wasn't even my fault that they did not charge me correctly. Most customer service reps have been nice when I call and make payments at least, but this one today was so rude it was ridiculous. In sorry if you have to live in Riverside and deal with these idiots. read more

If you are moving to Riverside or an area in which they are the electricity provider, be VERY aware. This is the third time within the last 4 weeks that the electricity in our area has been out for 4+ hours. Do we live in the year 2021 or the year 1920? This is crazy. read more

Worst customer service ever! Talked to a supposed supervisor "Sammy". She is requiring that I go to the office (which means I will have to take off of work) to provide a copy of my driver's license plus my social security card to move my service from one house to another as I am moving. The reason she gave - because my social doesn't match my license, which is impossible as nothing has changed since I established the account. If there was any alternative to Riverside Public Utilities I would use them. To make things even more ridiculous, Sammy told me that I could cancel my service over the phone with her (even though my identity is in question) then apply to start new service at the new location. What sense does that make?!? read more

When I move I'll make sure RPU isn't the company that services the house for utilities. Their rates keep going up, they are quick to shut off your utilities but when you call at 10am to pay to have them turned back on they do a half ass job at it. I had to call twice until someone finally tells me "oh they didn't turn it on all the way" and gave some lame excuse as to why. Really?! You can't even knock on the door and say I can't be bothered to actually do my job today? Ridiculous!! read more

These people are con artist! Straight and simple! They charged me for and extra month of service after I went to their webpage and cancelled service, and had the nerve to only send me a confirmation email for my second attempt cancellation while I was still on the phone with them! They tried to tell me that just cause I received an email that they made right then, that it proved that they received one and not the other! Then they asked me to send them a copy of the first email that they never sent as proof that I cancel a month before! I have kids I have to take care of, but they as a company could care less about their customers. I would of gone with another company if they didn't have a monopoly over my neighborhood. Who do we contact to look in to matters like this?! read more

These guys are assholes! I canceled my service two years ago and I never received a final bill. I didn't even know that they sent me to collections until recently that I wanted to check my credit score. I tried to square things up with them and they claim that they sent me my final bill to my last address because I never cancelled service. Then I called back and asked the customer service rep when I called to cancel service and she said Feb 10, which is when we were moving out. I preceded to explain to her my issue and connected me with inside collections. The lady I spoke with had no intentions with helping me out at all. She said that they need to put responsibility on the customer. What kind of response is that? I've been working on customer service for 15 years and would never talk to anyone like that. On top of everything, I was not hostile especially because you catch more bees with honey but they were still rude with me and ready to attack. I end have given them no stars if that were an option. read more

I really feel like giving absolutely no stars however ....it's not allowed. My neighborhood had a power outage and I had no clue as to when power would resume. The website WAS ABSOLUTELY no help. Unlike SOUTHERN CA EDISON they have no update button. They have no where to opt in to receive notification for power outages. You can't even see anything on their site about any power outage other than the county having outages. So stupid. I just started a new job I'm on probation period and my phone died which means NO ALARM cuz my actual alarm HAD NO POWER. I obviously have to show documentation showing my power was out for my job. I CALLED THE UTILITY CO AND THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS SO EFFIN RUDE N SAID THERES NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT DIDNT APOLOGIZE NOTHING I ASKED WHY THEY DIDNT HAVE UPDATES ON THEUR WEBSITE AND SHE SAID OH MAAM IM NOT A WEB DESIGGNER I AM A CUSTOMER REP SO IDK WHAT TK TELL YOU BUT WE CANT GIVE U ANYTHING ABOUUT OR OUTAGE. REALLY YOU BIMBO.....u are still an employee there and should be able to answer customer questions COURTEOUSLY! If you can't answer them then you direct the customer to someone who can. NOT ROCKET SCIENCE! I'm filing a complaint with the city of Riverside. This is ridiculous. Myself as well as alot of my neighbors want to move out of this area solely because of the incompetence of RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS. I miss SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON!!!!! read more

I like coming to this location.always a breeze and nice scenery. Keep up the good work

I called for a large item pick up on Friday 3/16/19. The soonest pick up date available was 4/22/19, which was not really convenient but I accepted it. A few hours later I received a call from the young lady I had spoken to earlier at the City of Riverside. She told me that they had a cancellation for this coming Monday would I like to change my pick up date? I believe the young lady's name was Marcie (I really wish I would have paid more attention). It was so thoughtful of her to follow up and so extremely helpful for us. Also the City Employees showed up bright and early this morning to pick up our large items. I must say they were extremely helpful pleasant. Once again Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Horrible customer service. They didn't charge me sewage for 6 months, and then lumped it all on one bill. Then they shut off my power with no notice over 78 cents! My bill was 309.78 and I paid 309. And then want to charge me a $60 reconnection fee! They're frauds and only care about the money they make and not the people they're servicing. I can't wait to move out of this area! read more

Riverside for ya! the really nice putting this yellow paper in with our bill this month October 2018 for LIGHT ASSESMENT WOW THEY ARE REAL SNEEKY PUTTING THAT IN THERE AFTER THE OPEN ENROLLMENT HAS PASSES! APRIL thru June to see if you qualify for credit/refund but of course they don't want you to use so they wait ell October 2018 to put it in with your bill nice CORRUPT RIVERSIDE ONCE AGAIN! is everything corrupt here or what? read more

Don't be mistaken, you are being screwed on your RPU electric bill. Compared to Edison customers using the same electricity, they pay on average 32% less. I know because I have 4 years of RPU compared to 18 years on edison power and now I pay thousands more per year for RPU using 30% lees energy than I did with Edison. read more

Do you see that there are basically no reviews for this fairly large city? I give you a hint: It's hard to word it so Yelp doesn't take it down on request. Another hint: They have something called a Business Retention rate, where you have to prove you'll close shop unless you get a better electricity rate. Here's the link: http://www.riversideca.gov/utilities/pdf/2013/Electric%20Schedule%20BR-%20clean%201-29-2013.pdf I am paying 3 times as much living here for electricity and water than I was in LA county. So my rating is based on utilities here being shockingly expensive (to Yelp: this is my experience and my judgement call based on the bills I'm getting. No reason to take the review down). The service is very good though.. *Update* well it seems outrageous rates are an IE thing, not just Riverside. Still leaving at one star because utilities are really important, and you lose a good chunk of what you save in housing prices here with these monthly costs, esp with temperature fluctuations like these in the winter and summer. read more

A pipe just broke, we honestly didn't know who to exactly call so we call the public utilities to send someone. Well the guy was a huge douche bag. I understand it's late (almost 1230 am) I get that your tired and etc, but do not come to my family with a crappy attitude. We didn't know what to do, THATS WHY WE CALLED. He just told us it's your problem and left speeding off. I'm sorry but that was rude. If my family needs help we're always nice. What a jerk, never again will I call them for help. read more

Update on my situation. My account was debited twice for the same amount on 9/3. So RPU was paid twice. Both cleared my bank account. I called RPU on 9/7 and was told I would be refunded the second payment within 3 business days. Nope. I called 9/13 and was told for sure this week I would get a refund back to my checking account. They told me they had to wait for the check to clear. There was no check. It was debited and cleared. Nothing was pending on the bank side. Still nothing. I called for a third time on 9/17. I was told a check was mailed out on 9/13 instead and I should be getting it any day. I asked why my account was still showing a credit of $430.00. He didn't know why. I know why, because, nobody did a darn thing at RPU. I received my monthly bill for the next month via email and it shows I owe $6.00. They didn't understand I had other bills to pay with that money. It is the principal of being honest and telling me the truth about my money. Riverside Public Utilities doesn't care if they screw up. I have never been late paying my bills and I've been a customer for 33 years. The minute RPU doesn't get their money, it's a whole different situation. They threaten to turn off your utilities. This is unacceptable for a business to practice this type of behavior. It's true, you never know if you really are talking to a supervisor. I was put on hold for 20 minutes plus to be told absolute nonsense. Shame on you Riverside Public Utilities. read more

What a rip-off. I went on vacation for 5 days and shut off the power to my apartment from the sub panel. My bill is higher this month than it was last month. Being in a small 1 bdrm apartment shouldn't be costing me $100 a month, but it does. Then there's the sewer charges, why? This is their way of charging for water I guess. It's not right. Then there's the customer charges. I'm already being charged for the electricity and water/sewer, so what are these customer charges for? And a reliability charge. The only thing reliable is them shutting you off. Is there anybody that will or can do something about these ridiculously excessive charges? read more

Ok so it's a Monday. Yea most utility companies are busy on Monday's. But a busy signal? Took 5 tries just to get put into the que. Why am I trying to call at all? Because even though we live in the electronic age RPU still to this day hasn't set up online payments with a credit/debit card! This is ridiculous. I CAN'T EVEN PAY MY BILL! For Pete's sake people HIRE MORE STAFF to answer your phones! Oh and the automated payment system won't work for me because you need the account number. That's not convenient when you're trying to pay the bill while away from home. read more