Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes an increase in sewer rates effective January 1, 2027 for the Division of Water Reclamation and to amend Chapter 1147 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
With the 2027 rates increases for water, sewer, and storm combined -- based on residential water usage of 5,236 gallons a month, or 175 gallons a day (which is also 7 centum cubic feet (ccf's) per month, or 21 (ccfs) a quarter), City of Columbus residents estimated bill increase is $10.29 per month, or $123.48 per year, or 9.9% above 2026. Income qualified discount participant's estimated monthly bill increase is $7.67 per month, or $92.04 per year, or 9.8% above 2026. Outside city residential customers estimated monthly bill increase is $12.68 a month, or $153.16 a year, or 11.1% above 2026. Customer's bill impact will vary with usage.
Residents with higher usage of 7,480 gallons of water a month, or 249 gallons a day (which is also 10 centum cubic feet (ccf's) per month, or 30 (ccfs) a quarter), may see their total bill increase $13.69 per month, or $164.28 per year, or 9.9% above 2026. Income qualified discount participant's estimated monthly increase is $9.88 per month, or $118.56 per year, or 9.9% above 2026. Outside city residential customers estimated monthly bill increase is $16.94 a month, or $203.28 a year, or 11.04% above 2026. Customer's bill impact will vary with usage.
Commercial customers subject to extra strength charges will see an increase of 3% for inside-city and outside-city BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), 3% for inside-city and outside-city TKN (Total Kjeldal Nitrogen), and 13% for inside-city and outside-city TSS (Total Suspended Solids), per cost of service, starting January 1, 2027.
The Utility Advisory Board (UAB) met on October 21, 2026, and after reviewing Columbus Water and Power's projected expenditures for Fiscal Year 2027, recommends to City Council an increase in such sewer rates.
The proposed rate configuration for 2027 recognizes that water and sewer charges disproportionately affect lower income groups. Columbus Water and Power will continue the income qualified discount which discounts participant's sewer commodity portion of their bill. The UAB recommends an increase to the percentage of the discount from 30% to 35%. Columbus Water and Power will also continue the senior income qualified discount that waives the monthly sewer service charges. The income qualified program is also being amended to allow for automatic enrollment, if applicable, as well as expanded household eligibility to allow any member living in the household to show they meet the program eligibility requirements, not just the individual who the account's name is in.
FISCAL IMPACT: These rate increases will generate approximately $12.1 million in additional revenue in the Sewer Operating Fund in Fiscal Year 2027.
Title
To amend various sections of Chapter 1147 of the Columbus City Codes, to enact new sanitary sewer service rates for the year beginning January 1, 2027; and to expand eligibility for income-qualified and eligible senior customer discount programs, and to repeal the existing sections being amended. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish new sewer sanitary services rates, effective January 1, 2027, for sewerage services to properties discharging into the sanitary sewerage system of the City of Columbus in order to recover the cost of rendering said sewerage services for the calendar year; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Columbus Water and Power, Division of Water Reclamation, requests a four percent increase in sewer rates for 2027 to pay for necessary ongoing operations and needed improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Columbus Water and Power, Division of Water Reclamation, recommends extra strength increases of 3% for inside-city and outside-city BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), 3% for inside-city and outside-city TKN (Total Kjeldal Nitrogen), and 13% for inside-city and outside-city TSS (Total Suspended Solids), starting January 1, 2027; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the commodity rates, City Council finds it necessary to continue a Clean River Fee to fund the wet weather capital improvement projects required by the Consent Orders with the State of Ohio; and
WHEREAS, City Council finds that the most appropriate way to assess the Clean River surcharge is by correlating the surcharge to the amount of impervious surface, as the factor most closely associated with increased inflow and infiltration is impervious cover from urban development; and
WHEREAS, City Council recognizes that increased sewer rates disproportionately impact low income residents. Low income residents already pay a higher percentage of their household income in utility bills, and this percentage would increase with higher rates; and
WHEREAS, City Council further recognizes that past rate increases in the City have demonstrated that increasing rates leads to increased delinquencies among the City's customers; delinquency rates are higher among low income residents. It is well recognized that increased delinquencies are expensive for the City and its customers; and
WHEREAS, City Council finds that continuing the discount rate for low income users is appropriate, as well as renaming the program, to assist those least able to manage the impacts of increased sewer and water rates and recognizes that an increase from 30% to 35% will help reduce this financial impact to low income customers; and
WHEREAS, the Utility Advisory Board has adopted recommendations that are consistent with the rates established in this legislation; and
WHEREAS, City Council finds that the rates and the low income and eligible senior discounts established are equitable to all of the City's customers; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to amend Sections 1147.11, 1147.19, and 1147.24 for the public health, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That City Council finds that the requested changes in sewer rates and charges are equitable and in accordance with cost of service.
SECTION 2. That effective January 1, 2027, Section 1147.11 of the Columbus City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEE ATTACHMENT 1 - Section 1147.11.
SECTION 3. That effective January 1, 2027, Section 1147.19 of the Columbus City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEE ATTACHMENT 1 - Section 1147.19.
SECTION 4. That the sewer rates herein established shall be applicable to all sewer used on or after January 1, 2027.
SECTION 5. That effective January 1, 2027, existing Sections 1147.11, 1147.19 of the Columbus City Codes are hereby repealed.
SECTION 6. That effective January 1, 2027, existing Section 1147.24 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby repealed.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.