4 Programs That Offer Water Bill Assistance In Columbus, Ohio

Access to running water and indoor plumbing are so ingrained in modern life that most people take this for granted. However, these services do not come free, and a significant percentage of Americans struggle to foot their monthly water bills. According to a 2019 survey, a majority of the households in the bottom fifth of the economy spent 12.4% of their disposable income on water and sewer services. And for low-income households, this burden has significantly increased during the COVID-19 period.

Lowering your water bill on your own is difficult. With DoNotPay, however, you can easily and fast. DoNotPay can also help you with other bills including

Read on to understand how.

Understanding Water Bills in Columbus, Ohio

The following is a guide to help you understand your monthly :

Customer number: This is your unique customer ID. You will use this number to make payments for your water bill either online or over the phone.
Account Number: This ID number is unique to your water meter. You will also use this number to pay your water bill either over the phone or online.
Message Center: You can check for monthly updates and announcements in this section.
Service Dates: This covers the date of the billing period.
Days: This value represents the total number of days in the billing period.
Readings: The value here represents both the previous and the current water readings.
Usage: This value is calculated in CFF. 1 CFF is equal to 748 gallons of water. The value represents the total amount of water used for the billing period.
Comparison Chart: This section provides a visual representation of your water usage over time.
Current Water Charge: This value is got by adding the monthly volume charge to the monthly service charge.
CSO Fee: This is determined by CFF usage.
Due Date: The bill is due 21 days after its generation.

How Can I Detect a Water Leak?

If you have been experiencing unusual water bills, there is a possibility that you could have a leak. Leaks are not easy to detect because they happen underground. To check whether you have a leak, try this: take your water meter reading before you go to sleep. Be careful not to use any water during the night. Early the next morning, before any water is used, take a second reading. If the second reading is significantly higher than the one you took the night before, you may have a leak in your system.

When this happens, get a plumber to fix the leak as soon as possible. Once the leak has been fixed, contact Customer Service for the appropriate adjustments to be made to your account. The invoice or receipt you provide must show the date of the repair, where the repair was done, and the type of repair done to fix the leak.

How to Get Water Bill Assistance in Columbus, Ohio by Yourself

If you are having difficulties paying for your water bills in the City of Columbus, you can take advantage of the various income-based discount programs. These programs are offered to those who meet the requirements. The following are examples of such programs and initiatives:

Programs	Details
The Columbus Cares Act Utility Bill Assistance Program	Eligible City of Columbus customers can be offered a one-time credit of up to $750 towards their water bill.
Columbus Small Business Utility Bill Assistance	This is a special emergency funding available to small businesses impacted by the pandemic in the City of Columbus. The funding is directed towards delinquent water accounts or those on the verge of disconnection.
Special Payment Plan	You can make an online application to request a Special Payment Plan on your water bill. You can also request a one to a three-month extension.
Utility Discount Programs	Customers who are part of assistance programs such as Medicaid, public housing, SNAP, and Heap may qualify for a discount on their water bill. Senior citizens aged 60 and above may also qualify for additional assistance programs.

What Happens if You Don’t Pay Your Water Bill in Columbus, Ohio

Failure to pay your water bill on time can lead to the termination of your water service by Columbus Water Works. If the service is disconnected owing to non-payment, you will be required to pay your debt, in addition to a $50 delinquency processing fee on your next billing statement. In case your account has a history of delinquency, you may be required to pay an upgraded deposit.

You should make your payments and contact Customer Service before 2:00 p.m. for restoration of services. If you make payments later than 2:00 p.m. you will have to wait until the next business day for your services to be restored. Please note that you should be present at the property during the restoration of your water service.

How to Get Water Bill Assistance in Columbus, Ohio With DoNotPay

If you want to lower your water bill but have no idea where to start, DoNotPay has got you covered in 4 easy steps:

Go to the Negotiate Bills product on DoNotPay.
Choose whether you want us to call and negotiate your bill for you or send a bill negotiation letter on your behalf.
Provide the details that will help us negotiate your bill including the company name and how much your current plan costs.
Enter your contact information, including email, address, and phone number.