Billing
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? You’re in the right place. We’ve put together answers to some of the most commonly asked billing questions.
Billing FAQs
Available Features
Access your account 24/7 with our online billing portal, designed to make managing your account faster, simple, and more convenient. With just a few clicks, you can:
- Set up Auto-Pay for worry-free monthly payments
- Schedule a Payment in advance
- Make One-Time Guest Payments (no login needed)
- View Current & Past Bills (billing history has been transferred)
- Track Usage History (usage data has been transferred)
- Enroll in Paperless Billing to receive bills via email
- Set Up Reminders & Alerts to stay on top of due dates
- Receive Email or Text Confirmations after payments
Accepted Payment Methods
All payment options are fast, secure, and available at no additional cost:
- Credit / Debit Card
- eCheck / ACH (from your bank account)
- Digital Wallets: Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, PayPal Credit, Venmo
- Pay by Phone (automated system)
- Pay by Text (after enrollment)
- Pay in the Online Portal
Need help getting started? View our step-by-step guide, also available in the attachments area on the portal customer landing page!
Prefer to pay in person? Visit us at the Department of Utilities (please note: the Collections Office at City Hall no longer accepts utility payments).
Location & Hours:
70 Halsey Street
Newport, RI 02840
Monday – Friday, 8AM – 4PM
Accepted In Person Payment Methods:
- Credit / Debit Card
- Cash
- Check
- Money Order
Unable to visit during business hours? Use the black After Hours Drop Box located to the left of the entrance to safely leave your payment.
Mail your check or money order to either our P.O. Box or directly to our office. Be sure to include your account number (beginning with “B”) on the memo line.
To our P.O. Box:
City of Newport, Department of Utilities
PO Box 1195
Providence, RI 02901-1195
Or to our office:
City of Newport, Department of Utilities
70 Halsey Street
Newport, RI 02840
Your full billing and usage history is available 24/7 through the online billing portal!
Customers are billed monthly, so you will receive 12 bills per year.
Payment is due on or before the last day of each month.
To restore service:
- Pay your full account balance (online, in person, or by mail).
- Call the billing staff at 401-845-5604 to schedule your water turn-on. Someone 18 or older must be home at the scheduled time.
Note: Mailed payments may take longer to process and will delay service restoration.
A final water meter reading is required as part of a real estate closing. Here’s what to do:
- Complete and submit the Request for Final Reading for Sale of Real Estate Form (typically done by the seller’s realtor or attorney).
- Meter staff will schedule and perform the final meter reading.
- Billing staff will issue a final bill to the seller, and both the buyer and seller will receive account information, including any outstanding charges.
Property owners can request a specialized bill between tenant move-ins and move-outs by submitting a Request for Tenancy Change Form. After meter staff perform a reading, billing staff will issue a specialized bill for the period requested, ensuring accurate charges between tenants.
Property owners can request seasonal termination or restoration pf water service for their property by completing a Request for Seasonal Turn On/Off Form.
Property owners can update their billing address directly through the online utility billing portal for the fastest processing.
Alternatively, you may complete and submit a Change of Billing Address Form to request an update. While this option may take slightly longer to process, it ensures your account information is updated even if you prefer not to use the online portal.
Customers who are 65 years of age or older, own their property, use it as their primary residence, and do not rent it out at any time during the year may be eligible for an exemption from the state-mandated “Water Quality Protection Charge” under Rhode Island General Law 46-15.3-5.
To apply, you must submit a completed Exemption Application (Senior Relief) along with a copy of your driver’s license to verify eligibility. If approved, the exemption will apply to future billings.
A sudden spike in your utility bill is often due to a water leak or an unexpected increase in usage. Even small, hidden leaks, like a running toilet or dripping faucet, can waste thousands of gallons of water each month. For example, a leak as small as a pinhole can waste up to 25,000 gallons in just one month, leading to a significantly higher bill.
Before contacting Newport Water Division, we recommend using our High Utility Bill Investigation Checklist identify possible causes. Common culprits include:
- Running or leaking toilets
- Dripping faucets or outdoor spigots
- Malfunctioning appliances (e.g., water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines)
- Undetected leaks in pipes or plumbing
Visit our Water Meter Services page to review tips on how to check for leaks and learn how to request a Meter Test if no leaks are found and you suspect an equipment issue.
Please remember: property owners are responsible for identifying and repairing plumbing issues on their property.
Contact the meter staff by calling 401-845-5606 for assistance with temporary shut off.
The Department of Utilities does not offer adjustments to metered water charges. However, customers may be eligible for a one-time sewer charge abatement for an accidental and unpreventable water leak attributable to a specific event that did not enter the sewer system.
To apply, complete and submit a Sewer Abatement Request Form and carefully review the eligibility criteria outlined in the included policy. Please note that this abatement is available only once every 10 years per property.
Water is essential to our daily lives for drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, and more. On average, each person uses 80–100 gallons of water per day. For a typical American household, about 30% of total water use happens outdoors, and more than half of that goes to watering lawns and gardens.
Using water efficiently not only protects our water resources, but it also helps:
- Reduce your monthly water and sewer bills
- Lower energy costs associated with heating water
- Ensure a reliable water supply during dry seasons or emergencies
The issue isn’t what we use water for, it’s how much we use. Every drop counts. Visit the EPA’s WaterSense site for water saving tips.