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.
If you live in Columbus Ohio and receive water services from the city paying your water bill on time every month is important. The City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities provides water, sewer, electricity, and other services to over 1 million residents across Columbus and the surrounding areas.
Missing or late payments on your City of Columbus water bill can lead to late fees, service disruptions, and even collections Fortunately, the city offers a variety of convenient payment options to pay your water bill
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about paying your Columbus water utility bill, including:
- Overview of City of Columbus water bills
- Payment options and locations
- Reducing your water bill
- Understanding your charges and rates
- Setting up autopay
- Checking for past due amounts
- Getting billing assistance
Let’s dive into all the details for easily paying your City of Columbus water bill every month.
Overview of Columbus Water Bills
The City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities issues monthly utility bills for the water, sewer, stormwater, and electricity services provided to residences and businesses.
Water bills are typically issued at the beginning of each month and are due by the indicated due date – usually around 3 weeks later. So for your February water usage, you’d receive the bill in early February and it would be due in late February.
Bills include detailed breakdowns of all your usage and charges for that month. The charges are based on your water consumption in hundreds of cubic feet (CCF) along with fixed service fees.
If you don’t receive a paper bill in the mail, you can view your monthly PDF bill online through the city’s self-service customer portal.
Convenient Ways to Pay Your Columbus Water Bill
The City of Columbus offers many different options for paying your utility bill conveniently:
Online – Pay by eCheck or credit/debit card through the self-service customer portal. You can also set up autopay.
By Phone – Call 614-645-8276 to pay by automated phone system with your account number.
In Person – Visit the walk-in payment office at 111 N. Front Street in downtown Columbus. You can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.
Drop Box – After hours, you can leave check or money order payments in the drop box at the payment office.
Contracted Pay Locations – Pay with cash or credit/debit card at Kroger, Meijer, Giant Eagle and other retail locations. Fees may apply.
By Mail – Mail your check or money order to the payment mailing address printed on your water bill.
Western Union – Make a payment at westernunion.com or 800-325-6000 using account and code city information. Additional fees apply.
For more details on locations, fees, and how to pay, visit the City of Columbus payment options page.
Reducing Your Columbus Water Bill Amount
If you’re concerned about high water bills from the City of Columbus, there are ways to reduce your monthly charges:
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Check for leaks – Fix any leaky faucets, pipes, or toilets which can substantially increase water usage.
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Install water efficient fixtures – New low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators reduce water consumption.
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Monitor usage – Track daily water usage to identify waste and high use areas to cut back.
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Adjust irrigation – Limit outdoor watering which can drive summer water bills up.
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Repair failures – Detect and fix silent failures like flapper valves or running toilets.
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Leverage assistance programs – The city offers financial assistance and flexible payment plans if eligible.
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Make conservation a habit – Build a culture of conservation with shorter showers, fully packed dishwashers, and more.
Little changes add up. Being proactive about water conservation can lead to significant savings on your water and sewer charges over time.
Understanding Your Columbus Water Bill Charges
Columbus water bills reflect all your water, sewer, stormwater, and environmental charges for the month based on consumption.
Here’s an overview of the key charges that appear on your City of Columbus utility bill and what they mean:
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Water Usage Fee – Charges for your measured monthly water consumption based on rate per 100 cubic feet (CCF)
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Water Service Fee – Fixed monthly fee that covers water distribution system costs
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Sewer Usage Fee – Based on your water usage since most water used ends up as wastewater
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Sewer Service Fee – Fixed monthly fee for sewer system upkeep
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Stormwater Fee – Fixed monthly fee for storm sewer system maintenance
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Environmental Fee – Fixed monthly charge for environmental protection efforts
Rates adjust periodically so always check your latest bill for current applicable rates. Detailed rate schedules are published on the city website.
Setting Up Autopay for Effortless Payments
Forgetting to pay your water bill on time can lead to late fees or service disruptions. Avoid missed payments by enrolling in paperless billing and autopay through the city’s online self-service portal.
With autopay, your water bill is paid automatically each month on the due date using your default payment method on file.
To enroll:
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Register for an account on the customer online portal
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Select “Go Paperless” under My Profile to stop mailed paper bills
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Choose “AutoPay” and enter your payment details
Autopay ensures your water bill gets paid on time every month without the hassle of remembering payment dates.
Checking for Past Due Amounts
If you need to check for any past due balances or unpaid water bills on your Columbus account, you can use the city’s online tool to search by property address or parcel number.
This allows you to:
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Identify if past tenants or owners didn’t pay all charges
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Check for unpaid bills before closing on a property sale
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Confirm your account is current before starting new service
Access the unpaid sewer charges lookup tool to investigate prior outstanding amounts.
Any unpaid balances will need to be paid before starting new water service. This protects you from inheriting old debts on your account.
Assistance for Paying Your Columbus Water Bill
If you’re having trouble paying your City of Columbus water bill, assistance programs are available, including:
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Payment arrangements – Setup flexible monthly payment plan for past due balance
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PIPP Plus – Reduced rates and debt forgiveness for low income households
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HEAP – Federal Home Energy Assistance Program provides utility financial aid
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WPCLF – Low interest loans or grants for plumbing repairs from Water Pollution Control Loan Fund
Learn more about the bill payment assistance programs offered by the City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities.
Temporary assistance can help avoid shut offs and alleviate burden while getting your utility payments back on track.
Paying Your Columbus Water Bill with Ease
Key takeaways include:
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Monitor your monthly usage and charges in the online customer portal
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Use autopay to set and forget bill payments
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Receive alerts for due dates and past due notices
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Leverage online and retail payment locations for convenience
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Look into conservation and assistance if bills are unaffordable
Paying your water bill doesn’t have to be a chore. Follow these tips to streamline your City of Columbus utilities payment process. Reach out to the billing department with any other questions on your account.
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?
Learn about other resources, discounts you may qualify for, and other ways to reduce your bill. Information on requesting new water, sewer or power service. Contact information for closing accounts, call: 614-645-8276 weekdays, 7:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. Pay Online and other ways/locations to pay your utility bill.
Where to pay city of Atlanta water bill?
Customer Service Center—There are places to pay on the first floor of Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 and 72 Marietta Street NE Atlanta GA 30303. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover cards. We also accept debit card, check or money order.
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. A member of our customer service team can take your payment and answer any questions you have about your bill or help you set up or disconnect your service. 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 to get my water service turned off? You can get your service turned off 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. You’ll need to make a new account with your new account number if you pay your bills online or through Auto Pay. Your new account number can be found on your June billing statement. Here’s a quick review on using CCU Bill Pay:
