Proposed Water Rates--FY26

Providing safe, reliable and affordable water is a priority for City of Columbia Utilities.

The Water Utility is proposing a new water rate structure that will increase revenue 12% in Fiscal Year 2026. However, the City of Columbia expects water bills to decrease for 65% of residential customers.

Based on Stantec Consulting’s cost of service study and the American Water Works Association’s “Principles of Water Rates, Fees and Charges” manual, the Water Utility’s proposed rate structure was designed to implement a revenue increase for water utility capital improvements due to increasing costs related to operations and maintenance.

The proposed water rate structure will recover costs from users more closely with how their use impacts the system. Therefore, customers with consistent monthly water usage are expected to see their bills decrease. Additional information can be found under the Documents tab on the right side of this page.

How will my water bill be affected by this change?

Columbia residents can get an estimate as to how the proposed water rate structure would affect them. Use the calculator below to see how your rates will be affected. For information on how to use the tool, please see the Water User Calculator Manual.

The City’s utility billing portal (MyUtilityBill.CoMo.gov) includes an interactive dashboard that allows customers to track their historic water usage.

• Water Bill Calculator

Bill breakdown

Customers will see two kinds of charges on their monthly water bills -- base charges and consumption charges. Read more to see a breakdown of these different charges and how the proposed changes will impact customers. Explanation of charges

Continued progress

City of Columbia Utilities is hard at work maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure to ensure the City continues supplying its citizens and customers with the highest quality water and service possible. Infrastructure projects

Assistance for customers

City of Columbia Utilities customers who need utility payment assistance can contact Utility Customer Service for more information. Phone: 573.874.7380 or email: UCS@CoMo.gov. Conservation and assistance programs

The City of Columbia will hold a public hearing on the proposed 12% revenue increase for the Water Utility, at the Aug. 4 City Council meeting. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 701 East Broadway.

If approved, the new water rate structure would go into effect October 1.

Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email City@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the posted meeting date as possible.