Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes an increase in water rates and fees effective January 1, 2027 for the Division of Water, creates a new high demand surcharge, and amends Chapter 1105 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 bill impacts 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 bill impacts will vary with usage.
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 water rates and create a new high demand surcharge for commercial customers.
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 water commodity portion of their bill. The UAB recomm...
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