Explanation
This ordinance authorizes an increase in water rates and fees effective January 1, 2026 for the Division of Water and amends Chapter 1105 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
With the 2026 rates increases for water, sewer, and storm combined -- based on an average residential customer with water use of 20 ccf's per quarter, City of Columbus residents are estimated to see their total bill increase $10.48 per month, or $125.80 per year, which equates to a combined bill increase of 11.72%. Low Income Discount participant's overall bill impact is 11.65%. Outside city customers overall bill impact is 12.88%. Customer's bill impact will vary with usage.
The Utility Advisory Board (UAB) met on October 29, 2025, and after reviewing the Department of Public Utilities' projected expenditures for Fiscal Year 2026, recommends to City Council an increase in water rates that is estimated to result in an over bill increase of 11.72%. The UAB also recommends an increase to water system capacity charges, that have not been updated since 2006, and an adjustment to commercial water commodity charges to reflect a uniform commercial rate, both in accordance with the current cost of service.
The proposed rate configuration for 2026 recognizes that water and sewer charges disproportionately affect lower income groups. The Department of Public Utilities will continue the Low Income Discount Programs that discounts participant's water commodity portion of their bill. The Board recommends an increase to the percentage of the discount from 25% to 30%. The Department of Public Utilities will also continue the Senior Customer Discount that waives the monthly water service charges.
Columbus Water & Power is beginning the process of switching residential water and sewer customers from quarterly billing to monthly billing. This change has been a long-time objective but was recently made possible by our enhanced meter project and state-of-the-art billing platform. The transi...
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