If you live in Columbus, Ohio and have city water service, paying your water bill on time each month is essential. The City of Columbus provides water services to over 300,000 customers across the city. This guide will walk through everything you need to know about paying your Columbus water bill.
Overview of Columbus Water Bills
The Columbus Department of Public Utilities is responsible for water, sewer, stormwater, and electricity services. Water bills include charges for water consumption as well as sewer and stormwater services. Bills are mailed out monthly and are typically due 21 days after the billing date.
Some key facts about Columbus water bills
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Bills are based on how much water you use, measured by your water meter. Rates start at $4.89 per 100 cubic feet.
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The city charges a fixed $1463 monthly fee just for having water service active
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Sewer rates are an additional $4.65 per 100 cubic feet.
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All customers pay a stormwater service fee based on the property’s square footage.
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Average monthly bills range from $50-60 for residential customers.
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Late fees of 10% apply if not paid by the due date.
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Water service can be shut off due to non-payment after one missed bill.
Clearly it’s important to pay your Columbus water bill on time every month to avoid penalties!
Ways to Pay Your Columbus Water Bill
The City of Columbus offers many payment options to provide convenience and flexibility in paying your water bill:
Online Payment
The easiest way to pay is online through the Public Utilities Customer Portal. You can make secure online payments via eCheck or credit card. By signing up for an account you can also go paperless, view payment history, access billing records, and more.
Phone Payment
Call 614-645-8276 during business hours (Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM) to pay your water bill by phone. Have your account number ready. Phone payments can be made by credit card, debit card or eCheck.
Mail-In Payment
Detach the payment coupon from your monthly paper bill and mail it with a check or money order to:
City of Columbus
PO Box 182882
Columbus, OH 43218-2882
Allow 5-7 days for mailed payments to process. Do not send cash by mail.
In-Person Payments
You can pay your Columbus water bill in person at:
Department of Public Utilities
111 N Front St
Columbus, OH 43215
The payment office is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Free short-term parking is available in the garage across Long St. An after-hours drop box is also available for check or money order payments.
Third-Party Locations
Many retailers like Kroger, Walgreens, and CVS allow you to pay city of Columbus water bills for a small convenience fee. Visit Western Union or call 1-800-325-6000 to find locations near you.
Auto Bill Pay
For hassle-free payments, enroll in auto bill pay through your bank or the online payment portal. Your bill is automatically paid from your account on the due date each month.
Financial Assistance for Water Bills
If you are having trouble paying your Columbus water bill, the city offers some programs that may help, including:
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Payment arrangements – Call to set up a payment plan for overdue balances.
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Project PACT – Low-income customers may qualify for monthly credits on their water bill.
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PIPP Program – Payment assistance for low-income customers through monthly state grants.
You can get details on assistance programs and eligibility requirements by calling 614-645-6555. It’s important to call right away if you anticipate having difficulty paying your water bill so the city can help avoid shut-offs.
Understanding Your Water Usage & Bill Charges
Your monthly water bill provides important details that help you understand the charges and monitor your household’s water usage.
Usage Comparison Graph
The first section of the bill shows a bar graph comparing the past 18 months of usage. This allows you to quickly see if your current usage is high or low comparatively. High usage could indicate leaks or excessive usage.
Meter Readings
Your bill shows the read dates and water meter readings at the start and end of the billing period. This reflects your actual water consumption for the month in cubic feet. Comparing the readings shows how much water your household used.
Rates & Calculation
The bill breaks down each rate including water, sewer, stormwater and fixed fees. It then multiplies your water usage by the rates to calculate the total in each category.
Charges Summary
Finally, the Charges Summary section tallies up all the rates to determine your total bill amount due for the month.
Understanding the details on your water bill helps you monitor usage, watch for leaks, and verify the billing calculations are correct. Be sure to review each month and follow up on any discrepancies.
Avoiding High Water Bills & Leaks
To avoid getting stuck with a high water bill, be proactive in monitoring for leaks and minimizing water usage. Here are some tips:
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Check your usage graph each month to spot unusually high spikes that could indicate leaks.
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Install low-flow water fixtures like toilets, faucets, and showerheads.
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Run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine.
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Turn the faucet off when brushing teeth, washing dishes, etc.
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Repair dripping faucets and running toilets which waste large volumes of water.
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Check your home’s water pressure. Over 80 psi can increase consumption.
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Inspect pipes and water lines for leaks, corrosion and damage.
Catching leaks early and reducing usage can help avoid costly high water bills.
What to Do if You Miss a Payment
Since the City of Columbus can shut off water service after just one missed bill payment, it’s essential to take action right away if you fail to pay your water bill on time. Here are the steps to take:
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Call Immediately – Contact the city at 614-645-8276 as soon as you realize your payment will be late.
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Ask About Assistance – Inquire about possible financial assistance or payment plan options.
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Pay ASAP – Make at least a partial payment as soon as possible to show good faith.
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Get Extension – Request an extension or grace period before shut-off. Extensions are limited but may buy you time.
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Dispute Errors – If you believe your bill has been miscalculated or is inaccurate, file a dispute before the due date.
Acting quickly minimizes late fees and reduces risk of service interruption. Keep communicating with the utility billing office for the best chance of maintaining uninterrupted water services.
Key Takeaways on Paying Columbus Water Bills
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Columbus water bills include charges for water, sewer services, stormwater fees and taxes.
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Bills are issued monthly and are typically due 21 days after the billing date.
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Many payment options are available including online, phone, mail, auto-bill pay and third-party retail locations.
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Financial assistance programs like PACT and PIPP can help qualified low-income households.
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Monitor your usage details every month to check for leaks and billing errors.
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Contact the city immediately if you miss a payment to ask about extensions or payment plans.
Paying your Columbus water bill on time is a crucial responsibility. Following these tips, understanding your bill, and utilizing available payment methods and assistance programs helps avoid disruption to your home’s vital water services. Reach out to the Department of Public Utilities if you need help getting on track with your water payments.
Columbus Provides Notification and Extends Credit Monitoring
Working with federal authorities and cybersecurity experts, the City of Columbus continues its investigation and response to a July cybersecurity incident.
Payment Portal Pay online via eCheck, credit card, or sign up for auto-pay. Other features available include: Paperless eBill, bill copies and payment history, customer newsletters and other communications.
Check for unpaid sewer charges. This site provides an easy-to-use way to identify delinquent charges on water and sewer services provided to a specific property. Just choose your search preference, either by address or parcel id.
Payment Locations Find in-person payment locations, online payment, or the mailing addresses. Western Union, Kroger, Meijer, Giant Eagle, Walgreens and others accept Columbus utility bill payments. For locations please visit Western Union or call 1 (800) 325-6000. Please be aware that contracted vendor payment locations charge a convenience fee. Payment Options page includes a complete list of payment options and associated fees(PDF, 113KB) (if any).
Reduce Your Bills and Financial Assistance Whether through temporary financial assistance, discount programs or conservation, there are many ways to reduce your bill and we offer payment arrangements.
Rates and Fees Find current utility rates, various service charges and fees associated with connecting to city water, sewer and fire hydrants, rates for power, festival rates and more. Average costs, such as what an average bill runs, running toilets and faucets, outdoor watering, filling a swimming pool and more.
In an effort to develop a more customer-friendly invoice, our bill design opens with a quick account summary on top and a tear-off payment stub at the bottom – all the pertinent details at a glance. It also provides a detailed breakdown of all charges, meter readings and is enhanced with a usage history section, including a bar graph.
City Chat: Electric Bill Payment Assistance
FAQ
Where can I pay my Columbus water bill?
What is the phone number for the city of Columbus water bill?
Where to pay city of Atlanta water bill?
Where can I pay my Columbus utility bill?
Find in-person payment locations, online payment, or the mailing addresses. Western Union, Kroger, Meijer, Giant Eagle, Walgreens and others accept Columbus utility bill payments. For locations please visit Western Union or call 1 (800) 325-6000. Please be aware that contracted vendor payment locations charge a convenience fee.
When will my Columbus Light & Water Department account balance be updated?
Payments will immediately update your Columbus Light & Water Department account balance. However, please allow up to 24 hours for your payment to post to your financial institution. A confirmation email/text message will be sent upon payment completion.
What is the utility billing office?
The Utility Billing Office is responsible for the accurate and timely billing of the city’s utility bills. In addition to accepting payments, one of our customer service representatives can handle questions about your bill or requests for service installation and disconnects. The City of Columbus sends out their bills on the 27th of each month.
Can You tamper with the city of Columbus water meter?
It is unlawful to tamper with the City of Columbus’ water meter or any related pipes and equipment. You may be subject to criminal or civil action, or both should tampering occur. Who do I call for water service disconnect? Disconnection of services can be taken care of at City Hall. Give us a call at (620)429-2159.
When will I receive my CCU Bill?
Every CCU customer will receive an invoice by mail in June, 2024. If you pay your bill online or have set up Auto Pay in the past, you’ll need to set up a new account with your new account number. Your new account number can be found on your June billing statement. Here’s a quick review on using CCU Bill Pay: