The Ultimate Guide to City of Riverbank Bill Pay: Easy Methods to Manage Your Utility Payments

Are you a Riverbank resident struggling with utility payments? Maybe you’ve just moved to this charming California city and wondering how to set up your water, sewer, and garbage services. Well, I’ve got you covered! As someone who’s navigated the Riverbank utility system, I’m excited to share everything you need to know about managing your City of Riverbank bill payments efficiently and painlessly.

Understanding Your Riverbank Utility Bill

Before diving into payment methods, let’s get familiar with what exactly you’re paying for when that bimonthly bill arrives in your mailbox

The City of Riverbank handles billing for three essential services:

• Water service
• Sewer service
• Garbage collection (contracted through Gilton Solid Waste)

Your bill arrives every two months (bimonthly), which means the rates listed on your statement are doubled from the monthly rates. This billing schedule follows specific dates throughout the year.

2025 Utility Bill Due Dates

• January 9, 2025
• March 10, 2025
• May 8, 2025
• July 9, 2025
• September 10, 2025
• November 10, 2025

Bills are typically processed by the first of January, March, May, July, September, and November unless these dates fall on weekends or holidays when city offices are closed. Remember that you have 7 days after the mailing date to pay your bill before it becomes overdue.

Payment Options: Multiple Ways to Pay Your Riverbank Utility Bill

The City of Riverbank offers several convenient payment methods to suit different preferences:

1. In-Person Payments

If you prefer the traditional approach. you can pay directly at the Finance Department during business hours

• Location: 6617 3rd Street, Riverbank, CA 95367
• Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed Fridays)
• Payment Methods: Cash, check, money order, or credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover)

There’s also a secure drop box at the Finance Department for after-hours payments using check or money order. Remember that payments made through the drop box after closing are processed the next business day.

2. Online Payments through Xpress Bill Pay

This is my personal favorite method because of its convenience! The City of Riverbank partners with Xpress Bill Pay to process online utility payments without any additional fees.

To pay online:

1. Visit xpressbillpay.com
2. Create an account or log in if you already have one
3. Add your City of Riverbank utility account
4. Choose your payment method and amount

Xpress Bill Pay offers these great features:

• Automatic recurring payments (never miss a due date again!)
• Payment history tracking
• Email reminders
• 24/7 account access from any device

3. Pay by Phone

If you’re on the go or prefer speaking with someone, call Xpress Bill Pay at their dedicated City of Riverbank number:

• Phone: 1-866-775-9603
• No additional fees for phone payments

4. Authorized Cash Locations

For those who prefer to pay with cash at third-party locations, the city has authorized several payment locations. Be aware that these may charge convenience fees that vary by location.

Understanding Current Utility Rates

Let’s break down what you’re actually paying for with each utility service in Riverbank.

Water Rates

Water rates include a base rate determined by your meter size plus a variable charge based on usage. Most residential homes have meters 1.5″ or smaller.

In addition to these base rates, you’ll pay:

• Variable Charge: $0.000840 per gallon
• Drought Surcharge (only during officially declared droughts): $0.000396 per gallon

Sewer Rates

Sewer rates increased as of January 1, 2025. The current residential base rate is $81.30 per month, which translates to $162.60 on your bimonthly bill.

Commercial customers pay the base rate plus additional variable charges based on their usage and type of business.

Garbage Rates

Garbage rates saw an increase on September 1, 2025. The standard service includes:

• One 90-gallon trash cart
• One 90-gallon organics cart

There are also discounted rates available for senior citizens and disabled low-income residents.

Setting Up New Utility Services

If you’re a new Riverbank resident, setting up utilities is pretty straightforward. You have two main options:

Online Sign-Up

The quickest way to sign up is through the online utility form on the city’s website. Visit riverbank.org/181/Utilities and look for the “Online Utility Sign-up” link.

In-Person Sign-Up

You can also visit the Finance Department during business hours to complete the necessary paperwork.

When signing up for services, be prepared to provide:

1. $200 deposit (broken down as $60 for water, $100 for sewer, and $40 for garbage)
   • This deposit can be waived if you provide a letter from a previous utility provider confirming one year of on-time payments with no shutoffs.
2. Service address
3. Billing address (if different)
4. Phone number
5. Proof of ownership or rental agreement
6. Name for the account
7. Copy of your driver’s license or other U.S. government-issued ID

Once you’re set up, you’ll receive a new resident information packet and details about your garbage collection day from Gilton.

Canceling Utility Services

Moving out? Don’t forget to cancel your utility services! Complete the “Cancel Utility Services Form” available on the city website and submit it with a copy of your ID through one of these methods:

• Mail to: Attn: Finance Department, 6707 3rd St. Riverbank, CA 95367
• Drop off at: 6617 3rd St. Riverbank, CA 95367
• Email to: [email protected]

Avoiding Late Fees and Shutoffs

Nobody wants to pay extra fees or deal with service interruptions! Here’s what you need to know:

Late Fees

A 10% penalty is applied to unpaid accounts 35 calendar days after the bill mailing date. For 2025, late fees will be assessed on:

• February 7, 2025
• April 8, 2025
• June 5, 2025
• August 7, 2025
• October 8, 2025
• December 9, 2025

Service Disconnection

If you’re struggling with payments, the city has options! Before facing a shutoff:

1. Check out the city’s “Policy on Discontinuation of Residential Water Service” on their website.
2. Consider applying for the Utility Rate Assistance Program (URAP) if you qualify.
3. Contact the Finance Department to discuss payment arrangements for past-due balances. They offer assistance through a Medical/Financial Hardship Form.

Additional Services from Gilton Solid Waste

Your garbage service through Gilton includes more than just regular trash pickup:

Bulky Item Pickup (Twice Annually)

Take advantage of bulky item pickup for large items like:

• Refrigerators
• Water heaters
• Washers/dryers
• Furniture
• Mattresses
• And more!

E-Waste Pickup (Four Times Annually)

Properly dispose of electronics including:

• TVs and monitors
• Computers
• Gaming consoles
• Cell phones
• Small appliances

To schedule these pickups, contact Gilton directly at 209-527-3781 or visit their website.

Need Help? Contact Information

If you have questions about your utility bill or services, several resources are available:

Finance Department

• Address: 6617 3rd Street, Riverbank, CA 95367
• Phone: 209-863-7109
• Email: Available on the city website

Utility Billing Questions

• Phone: 209-863-7119

Garbage Service Questions

• Gilton Solid Waste: 209-527-3781

Financial Assistance Programs

If you’re struggling with your utility bills, the City of Riverbank offers assistance through their Utility Rate Assistance Program (URAP). Information and applications are available in both English and Spanish on the city website.

My Personal Tips for Managing Riverbank Utility Bills

After dealing with Riverbank utilities for a while, here are some tips I’ve found helpful:

1. Set up automatic payments through Xpress Bill Pay – This has been a lifesaver for me! I never worry about missing due dates.

2. Check your usage regularly – By monitoring your water usage, you can catch potential leaks early and avoid shocking bills.

3. Take advantage of the bimonthly schedule – Since bills come every two months, I set aside a small amount from each paycheck specifically for utilities.

4. Keep documentation – Save copies of all payments and communications with the utility department. I learned this the hard way after a billing dispute!

5. Act quickly if you’re having trouble paying – Don’t wait until shutoff notices arrive to seek help. The city is actually quite helpful if you reach out early.

Managing your City of Riverbank utility bills doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you prefer the convenience of online payments or the personal touch of paying in person, there’s an option that fits your lifestyle. And remember, if you ever have questions or concerns, the Finance Department staff are there to help!

Have you found other useful tips for managing utility bills in Riverbank? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!