Do you get that little knot in your stomach when your Cedar Rapids utility bill arrives? You’re not alone! I’ve been living in Cedar Rapids for years, and figuring out the easiest way to pay those pesky utility bills used to make me anxious too But good news – there are actually tons of convenient options that can make paying your Cedar Rapids utility bills super simple!
Whether you prefer handling everything online or are more of an old-school, mail-a-check kind of person, Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities and Alliant Energy have got you covered I’ve tried pretty much all the payment methods over the years, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned to help make your life easier
Understanding Your Cedar Rapids Utility Bill Options
Before diving into payment methods it’s important to know that Cedar Rapids residents might receive utility bills from two different providers
- Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities – Handles water, sewer, garbage, recycling, and stormwater services
- Alliant Energy – Provides electricity and natural gas services
Each provider offers multiple payment options, which I’ll break down for you below.
Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities Payment Options
1. Pay Online with Paymentus
The City of Cedar Rapids partners with Paymentus for their online payment portal, which is honestly my favorite way to pay. It’s super convenient and user-friendly.
What you can pay with:
- ACH/eCheck (with NO fees – my personal choice!)
- Debit cards (with Mastercard or Visa logo)
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
- PayPal
How to access:
- Make a one-time payment
- Access Customer Portal
- Register for a Customer Portal Account
- Set up AutoPay
There is a $750 limit per transaction (unless you’re using AutoPay). Payments typically post to your account within 1-2 business days.
2. Pay by Phone
If you’re not into the whole online thing or just need to make a quick payment while you’re out and about, paying by phone is super easy.
Call: 1-888-821-2215
What you’ll need:
- Your utility account number
- Payment information (credit card, debit card, or bank account for eCheck)
Payment options:
- eCheck (no fees!)
- Debit cards
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
3. Pay in Person
Sometimes I just prefer handling things face-to-face, especially if I’ve got questions about my bill.
Where you can pay:
- Walmart Money Services counters (cash, check, money order, credit, debit, or GreenDot)
- Select local business pay stations (check only):
- Hy-Vee Foods (1843 Johnson Ave. NW)
- Hy-Vee Foods (20 Wilson Ave. SW)
- Hy-Vee Foods (4035 Mt. Vernon Rd. SE)
Note that other Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Drugstore locations not listed above don’t accept utility bill payments. Community Pay Station payments post to your account within 3 business days.
4. Pay by Dropbox
Sometimes I realize my bill is due tomorrow and need a quick solution! Dropboxes are perfect for this.
Locations:
- City Hall Walk-up Drop Box (101 First Street SE) – Located on the northeast corner of City Hall
- Water Administration Building Drive-up Drop Box (1111 Shaver Road NE) – Located on the northeast corner of the building
Payment types accepted: Check or money orders only
Payments received by noon are posted the same day. Anything after noon gets posted the next day.
5. Pay by Mail
Old reliable! I still sometimes use this method when I’m planning ahead.
Mail payments to:
Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities
PO Box 3255
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3255
Payment types accepted: Check or money orders
6. Electronic Payment through Your Bank
This is great if you already use online banking for other bills.
Just initiate an eCheck through your bank’s bill payment portal. Most local banks already have Cedar Rapids Utilities routing information on file. You’ll just need your ten-digit utilities account number (found on your bi-monthly bill).
If your bank doesn’t have the routing info, use:
PO Box 3255, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3255
Alliant Energy Payment Options
If you’re paying your electric or gas bill to Alliant Energy, they offer these convenient options:
1. My Account Payment
This is probably the most convenient way to pay Alliant Energy bills online.
How it works:
- Sign in to My Account
- Submit payments using credit card, debit card or bank account
- Store payment information to save time
2. Online One-Time Payment
Don’t want to create an account? No problem!
How it works:
- Pay your bill online without setting up an account or password
- Submit payments using credit card, debit card or bank account
3. Pay by Text
For the ultra-modern bill payer! This option is super convenient if you’re always on your phone.
4. Pay by Mail
Where to mail:
For Wisconsin customers:
Alliant Energy
P.O. Box 3062
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3062
For Iowa customers:
Alliant Energy
P.O. Box 3060
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3060
Important tips:
- Don’t send cash or correspondence in the payment envelope
- Don’t staple anything to the payment stub or check
- Include your account number with your payment
5. Western Union® Convenience Pay®
This is great if you prefer paying with cash.
How it works:
- Take your bill and cash, check, or money order to a participating Western Union Convenience Pay agent location
- Receive a transaction receipt
- Payments post within two business days
- Fee: $1.25 per transaction
To find the nearest location, use Western Union’s Convenience Pay location look-up tool or call 1-800-551-8001.
6. ACI (formerly Speedpay)
Fees for Iowa customers:
- Residential: $2.99 per $600 transaction
- Business: $11.50 per $2,000 transaction
To use ACI over the phone: Call 1-877-429-4126
To use ACI online: Use your Alliant Energy account number to log in to the online ACI system
Payments post within three business days.
7. Pay by Phone (Bank Account)
Call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) and say “make a payment” when prompted.
Ways to Manage Your Utility Bills Better
Both utility providers offer helpful options to make bill management easier:
Alliant Energy offers:
- Automatic Payment – Bill is automatically paid from bank account or card
- Paperless Billing – Receive email notifications when bills are ready
- Budget Billing – Pay the same amount each month
- Fixed Amount Bill (Wisconsin) – Avoid fluctuations in your bill
Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities offers:
- AutoPay through their online Customer Portal
What If I Can’t Pay My Bill?
If you’re struggling to pay your utility bill, both companies offer options:
Alliant Energy:
- Log into My Account to set up a payment arrangement
- Contact them at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268)
Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities:
- Contact Water Division Customer Service at 319-286-5900
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if my service has been disconnected due to nonpayment?
For Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities, you’ll need to make a payment using cash, money order, or credit card only. Check and web e-check payments won’t be accepted. Call Water Division Customer Service with questions: 319-286-5900.
For Alliant Energy, call them at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) to discuss reconnection.
How quickly do online payments post?
For Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities, online payments post within 1-2 business days.
For Alliant Energy, My Account and one-time online payments typically post within 24 hours.
Is there a fee to pay online?
Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities doesn’t charge fees for ACH/eCheck payments.
Alliant Energy doesn’t charge fees for online one-time payments or My Account payments.
Final Thoughts
Paying your Cedar Rapids utility bills doesn’t have to be a headache! With so many convenient options from both Cedar Rapids Municipal Utilities and Alliant Energy, you can choose whatever method fits your lifestyle best.
I personally prefer using the online payment options – they’re quick, secure, and I don’t have to worry about stamps or finding my checkbook. Plus, I can pay anytime, even at 11 PM in my pajamas (which may or may not have happened more than once)!
Whatever method you choose, just remember to allow enough processing time so your payment isn’t late. Nobody likes those late fees!
What’s your preferred way to pay your Cedar Rapids utility bills? Have you found any tips or tricks that make the process easier? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Is there a fee to use this service?
The fee to process a transaction is $1.25. Western Union® Convenience Pay® charges this to cover fees and costs associated with handling payments up to $2,500.
Were part of the ACI network (formerly called Speedpay). If you already pay bills with ACI, you can add us as a biller. Fees apply for Iowa customers.
Note: We dont charge fees for online one-time payment or My Account.
To use ACI over the phone: Call 1-877-429-4126 and follow the voice instructions.
To use ACI online: Use your Alliant Energy account number to log in to the online ACI system.
ACI charges a convenience fee for each transaction. Fees vary by state. Here are the Iowa rates:
- Residential customers: $2.99 per $600 transaction.
- Business customers: $11.50 per $2,000 transaction for business customers. (Not all business customers are eligible. Call the Business Resource Center at 1-866-ALLIANT (866-255-4268) for eligibility requirements.)
Before you make an ACI payment, please note:
- ACI payments post to your account within three business days. If you received a disconnection notice, call us at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) with your ACI confirmation number so we can note it on your account.
- ACI does NOT allow duplicate payment amounts from the same bank account or card number on the same day.
- Customers are limited to no more than three payments via ACI in any consecutive five-day period and a maximum of five payments in any consecutive 30-day period.
Pay your bill over the phone with a bank account. Call us at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) and say “make a payment” when prompted.
How does Convenience Pay® work?
Take your bill and cash, check or money order to a participating Western Union® Convenience Pay® agent location. You will receive a transaction receipt once your transaction is complete.
Western Union® Convenience Pay® payments post to your account within two business days. If you received a disconnection notice, call us at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) with your Western Union® Convenience Pay® confirmation number so we can note it on your account.
