Columbus residents who rely on city water and sewer service will see a big shift in their mail starting in July. Instead of those chunky quarterly statements, the city says bills will arrive every month, lining up with the way most households already handle rent, utilities, and other regular expenses. Officials say the rollout will be gradual as upgraded meters and a new billing system come online. Customers are being urged to keep an eye out for mailed notices and to check their online accounts for updated billing schedules.
How the change was announced
Columbus Water & Power laid out the timing in a news release, and local coverage shows the utility has quietly been testing monthly billing for months, converting areas one by one, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch. According to the Dispatch, more than 58,000 water and sewer accounts have already been shifted to the new system since a pilot launched last June. City spokesperson George Zonders told the paper that “customers have been asking for the switch for many years because budgeting for a quarterly bill alongside monthly bills can be tricky.”
Why officials say the timing works now
City filings tie the move to an Enhanced Meter Project and related technology upgrades that make regular monthly meter reads and billing possible, according to city council records. An ordinance approved in late 2025 revises Chapter 1105 so the code reflects monthly billing and pairs that update with the 2026 rate schedule that the council signed off on. City documents say the 2026 rate changes will help pay for major capital projects and system upgrades tied to the metering and billing work.
What customers should do now
Officials say monthly billing does not change how much you pay overall for water and sewer service, it just breaks those charges into smaller, more frequent bills. The city’s 2026 rates page and customer resources spell out the new rates, available payment plans, low-income discounts, and autopay options for anyone who wants to dodge missed due dates. Customers with questions can call Columbus Water & Power at 614-645-8276 or review the city’s 2026 rates and customer resources online.
