New water rate structure: City holds meeting to explainpossible changes

Columbia’s Water & Light Advisory Board hopes to educate the public on possible changes to the utility’s water rate at an interested parties meeting set for 6 p.m. at Columbia City Hall.

The three-tiered summer rate structure was proposed to encourage customers to conserve water use, and to raise funds for increased department costs in the 2019 budget. At least one Columbia City Council member said the proposed rate structure is confusing.

“We’re talking about pretty significant changes, and I don’t even fully understand them,” said Fifth Ward Councilman Matt Pitzer at an August council meeting.

The proposed changes would only affect customers from June to September, when water use regularly peaks.

The first tier would charge customers $2.79 per 100 cubic feet if they use between 0-200 cubic feet.

“The first tier is the basic cleaning, eating and essential living type of usage,” said Assistant W&L Director Ryan Williams.

The second tier applies to customers who use between 200-800 cubic feet, and they would be charged $3.91 per 100 cubic feet. The third tier is for “discretionary” use and applies to any customer who uses over 800 cubic feet. Those customers would be charged at a rate of $4.89 per 100 cubic feet.

In August, Columbia voters passed a nearly $43 million bond issue that included a gradual 11% rate increase through 2022. The funds are intended to go toward upgrades to the the water treatment plan and other multimillion-dollar projects. For a full list of those projects, click here.

“The City of Columbia is considering a new water rates structure and we want your input. You are invited to come learn about the City’s proposed water rates structure and how it could impact you,” reads the description for the Wednesday’s interested parties meeting.