Address: 900 E. Broad St.,
Room 115
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646-4646
For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911
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For other news, check out our news page:
Click here to view the map that identifies the material of water service lines.
Click here to start the survey.
Department of Public Utilities
The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) operates five utilities: natural gas, water, wastewater, stormwater, and electric streetlighting. DPU serves more than 500,000 residential and commercial customers in the Richmond and surrounding metropolitan region. DPU's electric street lighting utility maintains more than 37,000 streetlights throughout the city. DPU maintains a combined sewer system (CSS) in the central part of the city, which carries stormwater and wastewater to the wastewater treatment plant prior to discharging it into the river. The Stormwater Utility also enhances public safety and health and protects property by improving the quality and decreasing the quantity of polluted stormwater runoff.
DPU has maintained its position as a proud partner in helping protect the health and safety of Richmond residents by providing clean and safe drinking water, among other utility services. Over the past year, DPU has taken progressive steps to normalize business operations and will continue on that path. We invite you to explore those efforts outlined in our customer letters here.
DPU’s Mission is to provide safe and reliable utility service while creating exceptional value.
Our Vision to Our Customers is to proactively serve the utility needs of regional customers through environmental stewardship and resource conservation while providing cost effective, safe service.
Our 700 Strong Vision is to be a premier employer that nurtures employee pride, success and development through honesty, integrity, respectfulness and service toward others.
The Values we operate under are:
Customer Satisfaction
Operational Excellence
Financial Growth and Stability
Employee Pride and Ownership
DPU has developed a Strategic Plan Framework that focus on five priority areas. Read more here.
City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities
900 E. Broad Street
Room 115
Richmond, VA 23219
Customer Care Call Center:
For all your utility needs
804-646-4646
* For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911
Online Service Requests:
(To report streetlight outages or stormwater related issues such as missing manhole covers or basin repair)
rva311.com
Media Inquiries and Speaker Requests:
804-646-5463
FOIA Requests:
804-646-5200
Rights & Responsibilities: The Rights of Requesters and the Responsibilities of the City of Richmond under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act:
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials, and public employees.
A public record is any writing or recording -- regardless of whether it is a paper record, an electronic file, an audio or video recording, or any other format -- that is prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business. All public records are presumed to be open, and may only be withheld if a specific, statutory exemption applies.
The policy of FOIA states that the purpose of FOIA is to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities. In furthering this policy, FOIA requires that the law be interpreted liberally, in favor of access, and that any exemption allowing public records to be withheld must be interpreted narrowly.
Make a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request to the Department of Public Utilities:
All FOIA requests for the Department of Public should be emailed to: dpu.foia@rva.gov.
DPU FOIA Officer: Johnetta Taylor
More information on the City of Richmond FOIA process/policy, visit City of Richmond FOIA Policy
DPU is constantly working to improve the City's utility infrastructure. Below are projects currently underway. Click each link for project details.
Stay informed of non-emergency and emergency utility work alerts through text, email, and voice calls with CivicReady. Non-emergency alerts cover service impacts, closures, and outages, while emergency alerts could involve specific hazards that may require action. CivicReady is free, but text rates and charges may apply. To learn more about CivicReady and how to enroll, please click here.
Click here for a map of current projects with extended impacts to travel lanes or utility service.
For short term or the most up-to-date utility street work and impacts, visit the DPU Street News Twitter account at twitter.com/dpustreetnews.
5000 Block Riverside Drive Stormwater Repair Project - This project is repairing the existing pipe underneath the 5000 block of Riverside Drive that is failing and has created a 8'x8'x7' deep hole at the edge of the pavement.
5000 Block Riverside Drive Stormwater Repair Project Newsletter - Volume 1
Barton Avenue Alley Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project - This project is replacing deteriorated sewer mains which are at risk of imminent failure and reinstating associated sewer service laterals in the alley along the 2100 block of Barton Avenue and North Avenue.
Barton Avenue Alley Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter - Volume 1
Byrd Park Reservoir Rehabilitation Project- This project is working to improve the distribution system reliability and increase operational flexibility of facilities associated with the Reservoir.
Byrd Park Tank Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Byrd Park Tank Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 2
Byrd Park Tank Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 3
Byrd Park Tank Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 4
Byrd Park Tank Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 5
Byrd Park Tank Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 6
Byrd Park Tank Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 7
Byrd Park Tank Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 8
Combined Sewer Overflow Outfall 004 Project - This project is one of the mandated projects in Richmond’s Combined Sewer Overflow Interim Plan. This work includes the installation of a larger pipe that will hold more combined sewer system volume and infrastructure that will control flow.
Combined Sewer Overflow Outfall 004 Improvement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Combined Sewer Overflow Outfall 004 Improvement Project Newsletter- Volume 2
Chimborazo Drop Shaft and Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project - The project includes the replacement of the portion of sewer as a permanent replacement for the emergency repaired portion of the brick step sewer that was damaged during the 2004 slope failure caused by Tropical Storm Gaston and has been designed in such a way to avoid potentially unstable soils.
Chimborazo Drop Shaft and Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Chimborazo Drop Shaft and Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 2
Chimborazo Drop Shaft and Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 3
Chimborazo Drop Shaft and Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 4
Chimborazo Drop Shaft and Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project Newsletter- Volume 5
Forest Hill Avenue Water Main Replacement Project - The City of Richmond will be replacing deteriorating water mains and laterals along the 4100 through 4800 blocks of Forest Hill Avenue between Westover Hills Boulevard and 41st Street.
Forest Hill Avenue Water Main Replacement Project Newsletter - Volume 1
Forest Hill Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project - This project will be replacing failed sewer lines along the 6800 through 7100 blocks of Forest Hill Avenue between Joe Brooks Boulevard and Hathaway Road.
Forest Hill Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter - Volume 1
Hayden Hill Fire Line Project - This project will extend a water main through Hayden Hill Lane, providing water services and enhanced fire protection for residents along this road.
Hayden Hill Newsletter Volume 1
Hermitage Road Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project- This project will relocate a deteriorated sewer main and reinstate associated sewer service laterals along 3800 Hermitage Road.
Hermitage Road Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Libbie Avenue and Cary Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project- This project will relocate and repair a deteriorated sewer main and reinstate associated sewer service laterals.
Libbie and Cary Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Libbie and Cary Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Volume 2
Libbie and Cary Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Traffic Safety Measures
Libby and Cary Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Traffic Safety Measures Update
Libby and Cary Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Project Timeline Update - May 2023
Libby and Cary Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Project Timeline Update - May 30 2023
McGuire Drive and Chapel Drive Drainage Improvement Project - This project will reduce routine flooding occurrences by providing better drainage through the installation of gutters, drain inlets and pipes.
McGuire and Chapel Drainage Improvement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
North Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project- This project is replacing deteriorated sewer mains and reinstating associated sewer service laterals.
North Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
North Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Volume 2
Parrish Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project- This project will replace an existing failing sewer main on Parrish Street between Park Avenue and Marian Street.
Parrish Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Rodman Road Drainage Improvement Project - This project will provide better drainage, install new stormwater infrastructure and reduce periodic flooding experienced in the vicinity of Rodman Road.
Rodman Road Drainage Improvement Project - Volume 1
Silverwood Drive Drainage Improvement Project - This project will improve drainage capacity and reduce clogs in the drainage system.
Silverwood Drive Drainage Improvement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Wakefield Road Drainage Improvement Project - This project will replace storm drain pipes and culverts to address erosion and sediment buildup in the area.
Wakefield Road Drainage Improvement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Westower Drive Improvement Project - This project will upgrade the existing stormwater conveyance system to alleviate flooding.
Westower Drive and Whitlone Drainage Improvement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Whitehead Road Improvement Project - This project, initiated as a result of routine flooding, will replace existing culverts and install new sidewalks.
Whitehead Road Culvert Replacement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Whitehead Road Culvert Replacement Project Newsletter- Volume 2
Willow Oaks Drainage Improvement Project - This project will mitigate flooding, address ponding water and improve drainage with buried stormwater pipes, inlets and grading along Skipton Road and Westchester Road.
Willow Oaks Drainage Improvement Project Newsletter- Volume 1
Windsor Farms Gas Main Renewal Project - This project will replace high-density polyethylene (HDPE) gas main within the public right of way in the Windsor Farms neighborhood and other adjacent roadways.
Utility Talk
Utility Talk is a quarterly publication providing customers with new, information, and safety messages. It is distributed mostly through utility bills and is available here.
Utility Talk October 2024
Utility Talk September 2024
Utility Talk July 2024
Utility Talk May 2024
Utility Talk February 2024
Utility Talk January 2024
Utility Talk Summer 2023
Utility Talk Spring 2023
Utility Talk Winter 2022
Utility Talk Fall 2022
Utility Talk Summer 2022
Utility Talk Spring 2022
Utility Talk Winter 2021
Utility Talk Fall 2021
Utility Talk Summer 2021
Utility Talk Spring 2021
Latest News
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Utility Bill Inserts
Click here for the current utility bill inserts.
Customer Letters
Click here for the latest customer letters.