Explanation
This ordinance revises sewer charge definitions, revises discretion to reduce sewer front footage fees, and authorizes an increase in sewer rates effective January 1, 2023 for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage and to amend Chapter 1147 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Sewer charge definitions need to be revised from time to time and in this ordinance grit waste is being added to the list of "Scavenger wastes" which are usually collected at the source by tank truck for disposal.
This ordinance also eliminates the authority of the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to reduce the amount of the front footage fee per section 1137.01 due to the infrequency of reduction requests and lack of a promulgated rule.
The proposed rate configuration for 2023 recognizes that water and sewer charges disproportionately affect lower income groups. The Department of Public Utilities will continue the Low Income Discount Program that discounts participant's sewer commodity portion of their sewer bill by 20%.
Requested adjustments in rates result in a typical inside city residential sewer rate increase of 5%. When a water increase of 4% and a 2% increase in stormwater rates are considered, the overall impact on a typical residential customer's bill in the City of Columbus is 4.45%, and for a typical outside city residential customer, the overall bill impact is 4.51%. Low Income Discount participant's overall bill impact is 4.42%. Outside city customers are not charged stormwater fees. Considering the 2022 rate increases for water, sewer, and storm combined -- based on average household water use of 30 ccf's per quarter, City of Columbus residents are estimated to see their total bill increase $14.07 per quarter, or $56.29 per year.
In 2005, in accordance with Ordinance No.1904-2005, passed November 28, 2005, Council created a Clean River Fee to recover costs of construction of projects necessary to meet the requirements of the two consent or...
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