Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: Monthly Billing Pilot Program - Residential Water and Sewer Accounts
Contact Name: Brian Haemmerle
Contact Telephone Number: (614) 645-8276
Contact Email Address: BMHaemmerle@columbus.gov
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RULE AND REGULATION NO. 25-03 May 2025
Department of Public Utilities
SUBJECT: MONTHLY BILLING PILOT PROGRAM - RESIDENTIAL WATER AND SEWER ACCOUNTS
Pursuant to the authority granted under Columbus City Codes Chapters 1101 and 1119, the Director of the Department of Public Utilities hereby adopts, establishes, and publishes this rule and regulation to be effective at the earliest date allowed by law. This rule and regulation rescinds the Division of Water Rule and Regulation 1967-08, published on August 15, 1967. This rule and regulation is in addition to any established requirements that have not been superseded or rescinded by this or any previous act.
APPLICATION:
This rule and regulation applies to customers identified by the Department of Public Utilities who are part of a program to transition from quarterly billing to monthly billing for residential accounts. The intent of this program is to gain knowledge of the issues and challenges related to the transition. The information gained from the program will allow a smoother transition when all remaining residential water and sewer accounts connected to the public water and sewer system are converted to monthly billing at a future date. Until customers are identified as part of the program or are part of the future full conversion to monthly billing, they will continue to be billed according to their current monthly or quarterly schedule.
GENERAL REGULATION:
Columbus City Code Section 1105.04 establishes water rates for residential customers and Section 1105.12 establishes the billing terms of payment and allows for residential customers to be billed as a “Monthly Billed Account” or “Quarterly Billed Account” for their service charges. For those water customers who are identified as part of the program and transitioned to monthly billing, customers will be billed at the “Quarterly Billed Account” rate for their service charges instead of the “Monthly Billed Account” rate, as listed in Columbus City Code Section 1105.04. This rule and regulation shall also apply to residential water customers receiving service as identified in Columbus City Code Section 1105.05 - Outside city water rates.
Columbus City Code Section 1147.11 establishes sewer rates for customers and Section 1147.10 establishes the billing terms of payment and allows for residential customers to be billed as a “Monthly Account” or “Quarterly Account” for their service charges. For those sewer customers who are identified as part of the program and required to transition to monthly billing, customers shall be billed at the “Quarterly Account” rate for their service charges instead of the “Monthly Account” rate as listed in Columbus City Code Section 1147.11.
Columbus City Code Section 1147.14 establishes measurement of water, determination, and payment of charges. For those customers who have an auxiliary meter as noted in Columbus City Code Section 1147.14(e), the two ($2.00) dollar charge shall be prorated at the “Quarterly Rate” so that the maximum annual charge will be eight ($8.00) dollars. The billing terms of payment in Columbus City Code Section 1147.10 will also apply to these charges.
All other terms and conditions within Columbus City Code Chapters 1105 and Chapter 1147 shall still apply.