Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: Income Qualified Discount for Water, Sewer, and Power Customers
Contact Name: Nina Brooks
Contact Telephone Number: (614) 645-5741
Contact Email Address: nrbrooks@columbus.gov
Body
RULE AND REGULATION NO. 26-01 April 2026
Columbus Water & Power
SUBJECT: INCOME QUALIFIED DISCOUNT FOR WATER, SEWER, AND POWER CUSTOMERS
Pursuant to the authority granted under Columbus City Codes Chapters 1105.21(C) and 1147.19(C), the Director of Columbus Water & Power 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 Rule and Regulation 23-01, published on January 21, 2023. This rule and regulation is in addition to any established requirements that have not been superseded or rescinded by this or any previous act.
Pursuant to Columbus City Codes Sections 1105.21, 1147.19, and 1163.04, all income qualified customers may receive a thirty percent (30%) discount on the commodity portions of their water, sewer, and/or energy bills upon application to and approval of Columbus Water & Power. The purpose of this rule is to establish procedures for the administration and enforcement of these discounts.
Pursuant to Columbus City Codes Section 1101.02, this rule and regulation is effective on all consumers of water from the system of the Division of Water, both within and without the corporate limits.
A. Application
Application for the income qualified discount shall be made biennially.
Columbus Water & Power shall make application forms available at Columbus Water & Power offices, other City offices, on the internet, and at other appropriate locations. The application may be completed by any eligible customer. The application may be submitted to Columbus Water & Power via United States Postal Service, email, fax, online, or dropped off at the Michael B. Coleman Government Center.
If preferred, eligible customers may apply for the discount in person at the Michael B. Coleman Government Center.
B. Program Requirements
Eligibility
Single family property applicant requirements:
The Applicant must have an active City of Columbus water, sewer, or power account for their residence in their name (or spouse's name) and must meet one of the following:
• Household income must be less than 200% of the current U.S. Bureau of Census federal poverty level. Applicant must provide proof of current household income with the following for all household members over 18: o Income tax return
o W-2 forms
o Benefit letter from Social Security
o Pension award statement
-OR-
• Applicant must be currently enrolled in a qualifying low-income program. A current letter of participation from one of the following programs is required: o Food stamp benefits
o Ohio Medicaid
o Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
o Home Energy Assistance (HEAP)
o Ohio Works First
o Public housing benefits
Multi-Unit, master metered property applicant requirements:
Property owner must transmit the full benefit of the discount to the residents, and the property must meet one of the following:
• 80% of units meet the income levels of 200% (or less) of the current Federal Poverty Level with their household income or are currently enrolled in a qualifying low-income program such as food stamp benefits, Ohio Medicaid, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, Home Energy Assistance, Public Housing Benefits or Ohio Works First. Documentation must be provided for each unit.
-OR-
• The property receives one or more of the following subsidized housing benefits (documentation must be provided):
HUD Section 8
HUD Section 811
HUD Section 8 "Housing Choice" vouchers
Public Housing
HUD Section 202
LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit)
HUD Section 236
Other (explain)
ALL multi-unit, master metered property applications must include the following documents:
• Copy of a standard tenant lease (must be copy of an actual signed lease with one of the tenants leasing a unit at the property)
• Roster of current tenant names and addresses for each unit the tenant is leasing
• If the property owner bills the tenants for water/sewer services, enclose: o Copy of a current water/sewer bill that is billed to a tenant, along with copy of tenant's payment for bill
• If water/sewer billing is handled by a third party, please attach a copy of a current contract with the third party.
• If the property owner pays the water/sewer services and does not direct-bill the tenant for those services, enclose documentation of the formula used for transmitting the full benefit of the discount to the tenants.
Program Terms
Customers receiving the income qualified discount agree to the following conditions:
1. The customer shall promptly notify the Columbus Water & Power if the customer becomes ineligible for the discount. Such notice shall occur as soon as possible, but in any case within 30 days of the customer's ineligibility.
2. Falsifying information in the application is a violation of these rules and may be a violation of local, state and/or federal law. Falsification may lead to Columbus Water & Power taking action against the customer, including but not limited to, recovery of past discounts and other civil and/or criminal sanctions.
3. Eligibility for this program must be established biennially. Each participant must re-apply by signing a new application on or before two years after the date of the previous application in order to maintain eligibility. Columbus Water & Power may send a re-application reminder, but it is the customer's responsibility to ensure Columbus Water & Power’s receipt of the new application by the required date.