Pay your utility bill online, by mail, or in person. This page explains how to pay, when your bill is due, how late fees apply, and what to do if you cannot pay. For current rate information, visit the Rates and Charges page.
New: Track Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
Before you pay, verify your usage. EyeOnWater shows your water consumption history, sends leak alerts, and helps you spot unusual patterns. Free for all Newport Water Division customers.
Pay Online Anytime
Access your account 24/7 through the online billing portal:
- Set up Auto-Pay for automatic monthly payments
- Schedule a payment in advance
- Make a one-time guest payment (no login required)
- View current and past bills (billing history transferred from prior system)
- Track usage history (usage data transferred)
- Enroll in paperless billing to receive bills by email
- Set reminders and alerts for due dates
- Receive email or text confirmation after payment
Accepted Online Payment Methods
- Credit or debit card
- eCheck / ACH (from your bank account)
- Digital wallets: Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, PayPal Credit, Venmo
Need help setting up your account? View the step by step guide, also available in the attachments area on the portal customer landing page.
Important: Customers previously enrolled in ACH or Auto-Pay through the old system must re-enroll on the new portal. Customers using bill pay through personal banking should update the account number on the check or payment (new numbers begin with “B”).
Pay In Person
Pay in person at the Department of Utilities.
Please note: The Collections Office at City Hall no longer accepts utility payments.
Location and Hours
70 Halsey Street
Newport, RI 02840
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)
Accepted In-Person Payment Methods
- Credit or debit card
- Cash
- Check (include your account number, beginning with “B”, on the memo line)
- Money order (include your account number, beginning with “B”, on the memo line)
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.
Pay By Mail
Mail a check or money order. Include your account number (beginning with “B”) on the memo line.
City of Newport, Department of Utilities
70 Halsey Street
Newport, RI 02840
Billing Cycle, Due Dates, and Late Fees
Newport utility customers are billed monthly. Each bill shows the bill date, the amount due, and the due date. The due date is typically 30 days after the bill date.
Late fees. Accounts become delinquent the day after the due date. Penalties accrue daily at 18 percent per annum on the unpaid balance until the account is brought current.
If you cannot pay by the due date, contact Utilities Billing at 401-845-5604 before the due date to discuss payment options. Billing staff work with customers case by case on short-term payment arrangements. Resolving the balance before the due date avoids late fees.
Rate restructuring is under public review
The rates shown below are the current rates in effect. A rate study is underway proposing three changes to the wastewater bill structure: introduction of a dedicated stormwater fee, replacement of the CSO Annual Fixed Fee with a sewer base charge tied to meter size, and a reduction of the sewer volumetric rate. No change has been adopted. Total cost recovery is preserved under the proposed structure; the changes restructure how cost is allocated, not how much is collected.
Current Rates Summary
This summary reflects the current published rate structure. For full rate detail, see the Rates and Charges page.
| Charge | Rate |
|---|---|
| Base Charge (meter size and billing frequency based) | Varies by meter size |
| Water usage (residential) | $13.01 per 1,000 gallons |
| Water usage (non-residential) | $13.45 per 1,000 gallons |
| Water Quality Protection Surcharge | $0.000292 per gallon |
| Sewer Use Charge – basic (against 4,100 gal minimum) | $25.97 per 1,000 gallons |
| Sewer Use Charge – additional flow (above 4,100 gal) | $19.80 per 1,000 gallons |
| CSO Annual Fixed Charge | Meter size based, prorated over billing cycle (proposed for replacement under rate study) |
Rates are subject to change following two public hearings before the Newport City Council. The current rate study is under public review; no rate change has been adopted.
Senior Water Quality Protection Surcharge Exemption
Homeowners age 65 or older may be exempt from the Water Quality Protection Surcharge portion of the water bill for their residence. This is a one-time application; if you have applied in the past, you do not need to reapply.
Applications are available at the Department of Utilities office at 70 Halsey Street. Call the Billing Office at 401-845-5604 for details.
Dispute or Question a Bill
If you believe your bill is inaccurate, contact the Utilities Billing at 401-845-5604. The Billing Department reviews the account, checks the meter reading and any recent service activity, and works with you to reach a resolution.
If a mutually satisfactory settlement cannot be reached with Newport’s Billing Department, you have the right to submit the matter to the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers:
Division of Public Utilities and Carriers
89 Jefferson Boulevard
Warwick, RI 02888
Telephone: 401-780-9700
If you think your meter may be reading incorrectly, a separate Meter Test Request is available; see the Water Meter Services page for details.
If You Cannot Pay
If you cannot pay your bill by the due date, call the Utilities Billing at 401-845-5604 before the due date. Billing staff work with customers on a case-by-case basis to arrange short-term payment terms on past due balances.
Contacting Billing early reduces the chance of penalties, account escalation, and service disconnection. Written or emailed requests to utilitybilling@NewportRI.gov are also accepted.
Service Disconnection for Nonpayment
Service may be disconnected for nonpayment of utility charges. Newport follows the Rhode Island residential termination rules under Rhode Island General Laws Title 39 and applicable Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) regulations, which govern:
- Advance written notice to the customer before termination
- Protections for serious illness and medical emergencies
- Protections during cold weather periods
- Right to a hearing before disconnection
- Reconnection procedures after payment or settlement
To avoid disconnection, contact the Utilities Billing at 401-845-5604 as soon as you know you may be unable to pay. If you receive a disconnection notice, follow the instructions on the notice and call the Utilities Billing immediately.
Contact and Emergencies
Billing Questions
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Water Main Break or Utility Emergency
During business hours:
After hours (3 PM to 7 AM):
Spanish and Portuguese language assistance is available on request. Please call 401-845-5604 to request translation support. / Asistencia en idioma español y portugués disponible bajo solicitud. / Assistência em língua espanhola e portuguesa disponível mediante solicitação.
