If you live in Columbus, Ohio and have city water service, paying your monthly water bill is essential to keeping service running smoothly The Columbus Department of Public Utilities provides water, sewer, stormwater, and electric services to over 300,000 customers. Keep reading to learn the different ways you can pay your Columbus city water and utilities bill
Online Payment Portal
The easiest way to pay your Columbus city water bill is through the online payment portal You can access it at https //wwwcolumbus,gov/pu/ or find the link on your monthly paper bill,
The portal allows you to:
- Pay by eCheck or credit/debit card
- Sign up for autopay to have payments automatically deducted each month
- View and download digital versions of your bill
- Access account history and payment information
- Update account and contact information
- Receive paperless billing
Online payments process instantly. You can also make one-time payments without registering your account.
In-Person Payment Locations
If you prefer to pay your Columbus city water bill in cash or check, there are dozens of authorized payment locations throughout the city:
- Department of Public Utilities Office at 111 N Front St – Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm
- Kroger, Giant Eagle, Meijer, Walgreens, CVS, Dollar General, and more
- Western Union agent locations
- Bank or credit union branch
Most accept cash, checks, money orders and major credit/debit cards. Locations may charge a small service fee. Payments process same day.
By Phone
Call (614) 645-8276 during business hours 7am-6pm Monday to Friday to pay your Columbus city water bill over the phone. You’ll need your account number, address and payment details ready.
One-time phone payments process same-day. A $1.50 fee applies to credit/debit card payments.
By Mail
Mail your water bill payment stub along with a check or money order payable to City of Columbus to:
Department of Public Utilities
PO Box 182882
Columbus, OH 43218-2882
Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to reflect on your account. Include your remittance stub and write your account number on the check.
Recurring Auto-Pay
For hassle-free payments, enroll in auto-pay through the online bill pay portal. Your bill will be automatically paid from your bank account or credit card each month.
Auto-pay ensures your water bill never gets paid late. Just monitor your account periodically for accurate charges.
Payment Assistance Programs
If you’re struggling to pay your Columbus city water bill, contact the utility department to ask about payment assistance programs and arrangements. Options include:
- Payment extensions
- Deferred payment plans
- Senior/disabled discounts
- Low-income financial assistance
Contact a customer service rep for help getting your water bill under control. Avoid service disruption.
What to Do If You Can’t Locate Your Bill
If you can’t find your current Columbus city water bill, you can still make a payment. Just reference your account number and service address.
You can also access bill copies through the online portal or by calling the utility department. Provide your account number to look up your bill details.
Late Fees and Disconnection
Pay your Columbus city water bill by the due date each month to avoid late fees or service disconnection. Late fees apply after the due date.
If your account becomes 30 days past due, a shut off notice will be issued. Pay immediately to avoid disconnection which incurs a $50 fee.
Update Contact Information
To avoid missed bills and communications, keep your phone number, mailing address, and email up-to-date on your Columbus city water account.
You can update details through the online portal or by calling customer service. Provide any account access numbers if prompted.
Budget Billing to Stabilize Costs
If your usage fluctuates month-to-month, consider Columbus’ budget billing program. This evens your payments out over the year into a fixed monthly amount based on your usage history.
Budget billing helps stabilize utility costs into consistent payments. Your account still trues up periodically. Enroll through the billing portal.
Know Your Water Rates and Fees
Review Columbus city water rates and service fees so you know what to expect on your monthly bill. Water usage rates are tiered based on volume of water consumed.
Basic service and stormwater fees also apply. View the Columbus utility rates schedule online for details. Rates are reassessed annually.
Use Conservation Tips to Reduce Usage
To lower your water bill, practice conservation at home. Simple habits like taking shorter showers, fully loading dishwashers, detecting leaks, and watering outdoors efficiently can reduce your usage and billing costs.
The Columbus utility department provides numerous water saving tips to help shrink your monthly water footprint. Conserve water and your wallet will thank you!
Paying your Columbus city water bill on time doesn’t have to be a hassle. Use the convenient online portal, authorized payment locations nearby, or the other options covered to pay up easily each month. Contact customer service if you have any bill pay issues or need assistance managing costs. Consistent on-time payment keeps your water flowing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbus City Water Bill Pay:
Here are answers to some common questions about paying Columbus city water bills:
How can I get bill copies if I lost mine?
You can access digital bill copies through the online payment portal or call customer service to have copies mailed or emailed to you.
What do I do if I’m moving/closing my account?
Contact the utility department at least 1 week before your move date to close your account. Provide your new address and close date.
What if I’m disputing a charge on my bill?
Call customer service to explain the disputed amount. It will be investigated and corrected if deemed inaccurate.
Can I pay with a credit card in person?
Most in-person pay locations accept major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
When will late fees be applied to past due bills?
Late payment fees are assessed if your bill is still unpaid after the due date printed on your bill.
How can I check previous bill amounts or payment history?
Your full billing and payment history can be accessed through the online account portal.
Who do I contact to set up a payment plan for my past due bill?
Call customer service at 614-645-8276 to discuss deferred payment plan options for delinquent accounts.
How do I enroll in autopay or budget billing?
Both programs are enrolled through the online account portal. Simply log in and navigate to the proper pages.
Paying your water bill on time is essential for uninterrupted service. Take advantage of the many convenient and easy ways to pay your Columbus city water bill!