Riverside Public Utilities: Providing Essential Services to the Community

Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) is a community-owned utility that provides essential services to over 300,000 residents and businesses in the City of Riverside, California. Founded in 1892, RPU has a long history of providing reliable and affordable water, electric, gas, and wastewater services to the community.

Water Services

RPU's water system is one of the largest in the Inland Empire, serving over 200,000 customers. The system includes over 1,000 miles of pipelines and 12 reservoirs, with a daily capacity of over 100 million gallons.

The water provided by RPU meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. RPU is also committed to water conservation, and offers a variety of programs and incentives to help customers reduce their water consumption.

Electric Services

RPU's electric system serves over 100,000 customers in Riverside. The system includes a diverse portfolio of generation resources, including renewable sources such as solar and wind power.

RPU is committed to providing reliable and affordable electric service to its customers. The utility offers a variety of rate plans to meet the needs of different customers, and also provides assistance programs for low-income households.

Gas Services

RPU's gas system serves over 90,000 customers in Riverside. The system includes over 400 miles of pipelines and 10,000 meters.

RPU's gas service is safe and reliable, and the utility meets or exceeds all federal and state safety standards. RPU also offers a variety of programs and incentives to help customers reduce their gas consumption.

Wastewater Services

RPU's wastewater system serves over 200,000 customers in Riverside. The system includes a network of collection lines, pumping stations, and treatment plants.

RPU's wastewater treatment plants meet or exceed all federal and state wastewater treatment standards. The utility is also committed to protecting the environment, and uses a variety of technologies to reduce the environmental impact of its wastewater treatment operations.

Customer Service

RPU is committed to providing excellent customer service to its customers. The utility offers a variety of ways for customers to contact customer service, including phone, email, and online chat.

RPU also has a team of customer service representatives who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions and resolve problems.

Community Involvement

RPU is an active member of the Riverside community. The utility supports a variety of community programs and initiatives, including:

• The Riverside Public Utilities Foundation, which provides grants to local non-profit organizations that support education, the environment, and the arts.
• The Riverside Public Utilities Academy, which offers educational programs for students interested in careers in the utility industry.
• The Riverside Public Utilities Employee Volunteer Program, which encourages employees to volunteer their time to local organizations.

Sustainability

RPU is committed to sustainability and protecting the environment. The utility has a number of sustainability initiatives, including:

• A goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.
• A commitment to using renewable energy sources to generate electricity.
• A program to reduce water consumption by 20% by 2020.
• A program to recycle wastewater and use it for irrigation and other non-potable purposes.

Facts and Figures

• RPU is the 12th largest public utility in California.
• RPU serves over 300,000 residents and businesses in Riverside.
• RPU's water system includes over 1,000 miles of pipelines and 12 reservoirs.
• RPU's electric system serves over 100,000 customers in Riverside.
• RPU's gas system serves over 90,000 customers in Riverside.
• RPU's wastewater system serves over 200,000 customers in Riverside.
• RPU has a commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment.

Tables

Table 1: RPU Water System Statistics

Table 2: RPU Electric System Statistics

Table 3: RPU Wastewater System Statistics

Tips and Tricks

• Conserve water: There are a number of things you can do to conserve water, such as taking shorter showers, fixing leaky faucets, and watering your lawn less frequently.
• Save energy: You can save energy by turning off lights when you leave a room, unplugging appliances when you're not using them, and setting your thermostat to a lower temperature in the winter and a higher temperature in the summer.
• Reduce your gas consumption: You can reduce your gas consumption by turning off your gas fireplace when you're not using it, cooking on a smaller burner when possible, and using your oven less frequently.
• Take advantage of RPU's programs and incentives: RPU offers a variety of programs and incentives to help customers save money and reduce their environmental impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not properly maintaining your water heater: A poorly maintained water heater can waste energy and money. Be sure to have your water heater inspected and serviced regularly.
• Leaving your appliances plugged in: Even when you're not using them, appliances that are plugged in can still draw power. Unplug appliances when you're not using them to save energy.
• Overwatering your lawn: Overwatering your lawn can waste water and money. Water your lawn deeply but infrequently, and only when it needs it.

Pros and Cons

Pros of using RPU's services:

• Reliability: RPU provides reliable and affordable water, electric, gas, and wastewater services to its customers.
• Customer service: RPU is committed to providing excellent customer service to its customers.
• Sustainability: RPU is committed to sustainability and protecting the environment.

Cons of using RPU's services:

• Rates: RPU's rates are higher than some other utilities in the area.
• Limited service area: RPU only provides services to the City of Riverside.

Call to Action

If you're interested in learning more about RPU's services, please visit the RPU website at www.rpu.org. You can also contact RPU's customer service department at (951) 784-7612.