Utility Rates

Table of Contents

Electric rates

Rates effective July 1, 2023

This information taken from Columbia Ordinance – Chapter 27, Section 27-112 and 27-113 . The City Council has the sole authority to set rates and charges for Columbia Water & Light services. The city reviews these rates and charges annually.

This schedule is available to customers where service is supplied to a residential dwelling for single-phase service under provisions of the City’s Ordinance Section 27-112 and 27-113.

Standard customer charge: $22.00 per month
Non-standard meter charge: $35.02 (for customers who request a mechanical meter)

Rate

Energy Charge Usage Rate
Summer

First 300 kWh

Next 450 kWh

next 1,250 kWh

All remaining kWh

8.89 cents per kWh

10.89 cents per kWh

12.89 cents per kWh

14.89 cents per kWh
Non-summer

First 300 kWh

Next 450 kWh

All remaining kWh

8.89 cents per kWh

10.89 cents per kWh

12.00 cents per kWh

Summer months: June through September
Non-summer months: October through May

Minimum monthly bill

The minimum monthly bill/customer charge shall be $22.00 for a standard meter and $35.02 for a non-standard meter.

In lieu of gross receipts tax payments and sales tax

In addition to the charge based on monthly rates as computed above, the total monthly charge for service shall include applicable sales taxes and an in lieu of gross receipts tax payment equal to 7.5268% of the monthly rate charge. Sales taxes shall be applied to the total of the monthly rate charge and the in lieu of gross receipts tax payment.

Power Cost Adjustment

The Power Cost Adjustment rider applies to all kWh consumption billed on this schedule. For more information, see the Power Cost Adjustment section below.

Rate discount adjustments

Electric space heating
When the customer has permanently installed a minimum of 5 kilowatts approved electric space heating equipment which is the sole source of comfort heating — decorative fireplaces excluded — for the areas to be heated, the rate per kWh for the non-summer season will be:

  • 8.89 cents per kWh for the first 300 kWh
  • 10.89 cents per kWh for the next 450 kWh
  • 10.00 cents per kWh for all remaining kWh

Electric customers with heat pumps help Columbia Water & Light reduce summer peak demand which saves the utility money. This savings is passed on to our customers.

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is a single appliance that can provide both your heating and cooling. During the summer, the heat pump works like a conventional air conditioner, cooling the home. In winter, the heat pump reverses its flow and heats your home by extracting heat from the outside air and pumping it to your house. Usually a heat pump is an add-on system that improves the efficiency of your conventional gas or electric furnace. When the weather is very cold, the heat pump shuts off and your furnace takes over.

One feature in many models is a variable speed compressor that alters its power usage based on the need for heating or cooling. When needs are minimal, the compressor runs at slower speeds. Variable speed units provide better humidity control during the cooling season and are much quieter for year-round operation.

What is the heat pump rate?

Available for residential heat pump service to any customer receiving service at the same location and meeting the standards set forth for this type service. The monthly rate below would apply for the months of October through May to permanently installed heat pumps that are the primary source of comfort heating for the non-summer season.

Fee Rate
Customer Charge $22.00 per month*
first 300 kWh 8.89 cents per kWh
next 450 kWh 10.89 cents per kWh
all remaining kWh 9.50 cents per kWh

*for customers requesting a non-standard (mechanical) meter the customer charge is $35.02)

Are there any special eligibility requirements?

RULES and REGULATIONS

  • You must be a Columbia Water and Light electric customer who applies for this rate.
  • You must have a working heat pump (rated 16 SEER) installed that does not exceed 100 kilowatts.
  • Your building must have a minimum of R-50 insulation in the ceiling and at least R-19 insulation in floors next to unheated areas like crawl spaces. Duct work in unheated areas must also be insulated to an R-13 level. Insulation along the rim joist must be at least an R-13.
  • Heat pumps must heat at least 50% of conditioned air space.
  • The City of Columbia has the right to inspect the equipment at any time. Violations of any of the Rules and Regulations will cause the customer to be put on the regular residential electric rate.

Need help financing a new heat pump?

Columbia Water & Light offers rebates and low-interest energy efficiency loans to help our customers fund this type of energy improvement.

Special rules

Special rules and regulations specifying the equipment that qualifies for service under this rate, and the conditions of service hereunder are outlined in the Department Rules entitled “Heat Pump Rules and Regulations”

Minimum monthly bill

The minimum monthly bill shall be $22.00 for a standard meter and $32.05 for a non-standard meter).

In lieu of gross receipts tax payments and sales tax

In addition to the charge based on monthly rates as computed above, the total monthly charge for service shall include applicable sales taxes and an in lieu of gross receipts tax payment equal to 7.5268% of the monthly rate charge. Sales taxes shall be applied to the total of the monthly rate charge and the in lieu of gross receipts tax payment.

Power Cost Adjustment

The Power Cost Adjustment rider applies to all kWh consumption billed on this schedule. For more information, see the Power Cost Adjustment section below.

Availability

This schedule is available to small commercial customers for services applied to single or three phase standard service voltages under the provisions of City Ordinance Section 27-114. This rate is not available to customers that exceed twenty-five (25) kW demand during June, July, August, or September.

Rate

Charge Usage Rate
Minimum Customer Charge (Single-phase)   $22.00 per month
Minimum Customer Charge (Three-phase)   $33.00 per month
Summer first 500 kWh 9.23 cents per kWh
  next 1,000 kWh 11.23 cents per kWh
  all remaining kWh 13.73 cents per kWh
Non-summer first 500 kWh 9.23 cents per kWh
  all remaining kWh 11.23 cents per kWh

Summer months: June through September
Non-summer months: October through May

Minimum monthly bill

Single phase service, $22.00 per month; three phase service, $33.00 per month.

In lieu of gross receipts tax payments and sales tax

 In addition to the charge based on monthly rates as computed above, the total monthly charge for service shall include applicable sales taxes and an in lieu of gross receipts tax payment equal to 7.5268% of the monthly rate charge. Sales taxes shall be applied to the total of the monthly rate charge and the in lieu of gross receipts tax payment.

Power Cost Adjustment: The Power Cost Adjustment rider applies to all kWh consumption billed on this schedule. For more information, see the Power Cost Adjustment section below.

Rate discount adjustments

Electric space heating customers: For customers using electric heating as the sole means of comfort heating, the monthly rate per kilowatt-hour billed during non-summer season for energy shall be:

  • 9.23 cents per kWh for the first 500 kWh
  • 11.23 cents per kWh for the next 1,000 kWh
  • 10.43 cents per kWh for all remaining kWh

High efficiency heat pumps: For customers having permanently installed heat pump which is the primary source of comfort heating and which conforms to the special rules and regulations outlined in the Department Rules entitled “Heat Pump Rules and Regulations”, the monthly rate per kilowatt hour billed during the non-summer season for energy shall be:

  • 9.23 cents per kWh for the first 500 kWh
  • 11.23 cents per kWh for the next 1,000 kWh
  • 9.83 cents per kWh for all remaining kWh

Optional schedule

Availability: Small commercial customers, that do not exceed twenty-five (25) KW demand during June, July, August, or September, may voluntarily be placed on a demand billing rate as follows:

Rate

Demand Charge Summer Non-Summer
Customer Charge $47.05 $47.05
DEMAND CHARGE    
All kW (per kW) $17.48 $14.01
ENERGY CHARGE    
All kWh (per kWh) 5.88 cents 5.39 cents

Billing demand: The maximum 30-minute KW demand measured during the billing month, but not less than 75 percent of the maximum billing demand during the billing months of June, July, August and September of the preceding 11 month billing period.

Availability

This schedule is available to large general service customers for a period of not less than 1 year. Customers that exceed twenty-five (25) kW demand during June, July, August, or September will automatically be placed on this rate for a period of one year. Customers that exceed seven hundred fifty (750) kw demand during June, July, August, or September will automatically be removed from this rate and placed on the Industrial Service Rate for a period of one year. Reevaluation of application will be performed in October of each year.

Rate

Charge
Summer
Non-Summer
Monthly Customer Charge $65.00 $65.00
DEMAND CHARGE    
Minimum demand charge – 25 kW or less $423.00 $343.50
All additional kW (per kW) $16.92 $13.74
ENERGY CHARGE    
All kWh (per kWh) 5.70 cents 4.96 cents

Billing demand

The maximum 30 minute kw demand measured during the billing month, but not less than 75% of the maximum billing demand during the billing months of June, July, August and September of the preceding 11 month billing period.

In lieu of gross receipts tax payments and sales tax

In addition to the charge based on monthly rates as computed above, the total monthly charge for service shall include applicable sales taxes and an in lieu of gross receipts tax payment equal to 7.5268% of the monthly rate charge. Sales taxes shall be applied to the total of the monthly rate charge and the in lieu of gross receipts tax payment.

Power Cost Adjustment

The Power Cost Adjustment rider applies to all kWh consumption billed on this schedule. For more information, see the Power Cost Adjustment section below.

Power factor

The customer will at all times maintain a power factor of not less than eighty-five (85) percent lagging. If the power factor is less than eighty-five (85) percent and the customer does not expeditiously take corrective action, the department can, at its option, discontinue service or can install necessary corrective equipment on its lines to improve the customer’s power factor to at least eighty-five (85) percent and will charge the customer for the total installed cost for same (including material, labor and overhead costs) or can make an equal charge (on an estimated basis) as a contribution towards the cost of corrective facilities to be installed elsewhere in its system.

Load shedding program

Any large general service customer may elect to reduce electrical consumption when requested to do so by the utility during load shedding periods. Large general service customers who wish to participate in the utility’s load shedding program shall inform the utility in writing no later than April 15 of each year. The application of this service will be limited to customer’s whose billing demand from one (1) account is two hundred fifty (250) kw and above during the summer months of July and August and whose billing demand from multiple accounts is one thousand (1,000) kw and above during the summer months of July and August. Customers participating in this program shall not participate in the load control program. More specific terms of the load shedding program shall be defined in a separate agreement between the customer and the city.

Monthly rate: Credit for demand shedding will be computed as follows:

  • Performance rate. If the electric utility requests customer to shed load, the performance rate shall be calculated at $3.00 per month for each kw shed on average for the load shedding periods during the months of June through September. Customers shall receive a monthly credit based upon the performance rate beginning in October. The performance rate shall be applied to each month’s bill for a period of one year.
  • If there is no load shedding event in a given year, the credit shall be reduced to 50% of the performance rate and shall remain at that level until the customer sheds demand as part of this program in any subsequent year or until the customer’s participation in the program ends, whichever occurs first. If the performance rate cannot be determined, the credit shall be $75.00 each month for a customer with one account in the load shedding program and shall be a total of $150.00 each month for a customer with more than one account in the load shedding program. If a customer with more than one account is participating in this program, the agreement shall specify which account is to receive the credit.

Metering: The utility will install all recording demand meters to measure the customer’s energy load during the periods the utility requests the customer to reduce the load. The utility shall pay for the first meter installed. Customer shall be responsible for all costs associated with all other recording demand meters installed by the utility for the customer’s participation in the program. Customer, at customer’s expense, shall also be responsible for installing and maintaining a telephone line connection to each meter for use by the utility.

Demand reduction: The customer shall receive a credit on the customer’s monthly bill beginning in October of each year based on the customer demand shedding performance (not to exceed fifty (50) percent of customer’s load prior to shedding, as defined in the agreement).

A customer participating in the load shedding program shall remain in the program for an initial period of one (1) year.

Energy storage rider

  1. Available: The energy storage rider is available to any customer receiving electric service under the large general service rate that has installed energy storage facilities approved by the utility as being capable of sustaining at least fifty (50) kw in equivalent energy capacity for continued load reduction for a minimum of four (4) hours.
  2. Energy charge: Energy supplied for the period beginning 12:00 midnight and ending at 6:00 a.m. shall be charged at the rate of 4.592 cents per kwh during the summer months and 4.00 cents per kwh during the non-summer months. Energy charged at this rate will be subject to the fuel adjustment allowance in section 27-118.
  3. Demand charge: For a period of twenty (20) hours each day the monthly measured demand will be excluded for the purpose of the billing of demand as set forth in subsection (f) while under this rider. The measured demand period will exclude Saturday and Sunday of each week. The four-hour measured demand period will be a continuous four-hour period between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The demand charge periods, shall be set forth in a written agreement between the utility and the customer as set forth in subsection (7) hereof.
  4. Billing demand: The maximum thirty-minute kw demand measured during the billing month, but not less than seventy-five (75) percent of the maximum billing demand during the billing months of June, July, August and September of the preceding eleven (11) months. If there has been a significant change in operation from the previous year, the director may reduce a customer’s ratchet amount to fifty (50) percent until a new maximum billing demand is set during the forthcoming June, July, August and September.
  5. Metering: The utility will install all recording demand and energy meters necessary to measure the demand period. The customer shall pay the cost of any meter(s) required to be installed to measure the demand for the energy storage rider. The payment of such cost shall be non-refundable once the meter is installed.
  6. Load shedding program: The load shedding program does not apply to the energy storage rider.
  7. Contract: Customers wishing to receive service on the energy storage rider must first enter into an agreement with the city that includes provisions concerning: emergency use of the system; a description of the energy storage system; listed hours in which demand charges are excluded; and length of the term of the contract.
  8. In lieu of gross receipts tax payments and sales tax: In addition to the charge based on the rates set forth in this subsection, the total monthly charge for service shall include applicable sales taxes and an in lieu of gross receipts tax payment equal to 7.5268 percent of the monthly rate charge. Sales taxes shall be applied to the total of the monthly rate charge and the in lieu of gross receipts tax payment.

Interruptible service rate

  1. Available: Customers receiving service on the large general service rate or the industrial service rate and having at 500 kw of load that is interruptible are eligible to place a contracted firm demand on the interruptible service rate. Interruptible loads are specific areas of a customer’s service that can be identified and metered and can be entirely removed from service during periods requested by the utility. Arrangements for interruptible service require a signed agreement between the customer and the city. The rate is not available for temporary, standby, breakdown, supplementary or resale service.
  2. Application: The interruptible service rate shall apply to identifiable load where the service is supplied at one point of delivery and measured through one meter. At the time of interruption the meter reading for that period should register zero. If the customer is unable to interrupt the total load at the utility’s request, a charge of $36.40 per kilowatt will be charged on the kilowatt load registered on the meter during that period. If the customer continues to violate the terms of the interruptible agreement, the customer will be removed from the interruptible rate and put on a rate based on the customer’s loads during the previous summer period. The customer will not be allowed to reapply for the interruptible rate for one year. Customers with auxiliary power connected to the interruptible load will be allowed up to one percent of the interruptible kilowatt load on the meter before the charge for the auxiliary load will be billed at thirty-six dollars and forty cents ($36.40) per kilowatt on a monthly basis during the interruptible period.

  3. Monthly rate charge: The monthly rate per kilowatt hour shall be as follows, subject to fuel adjustments as provided in section 27-118:

      Summer Non-Summer
    Customer charge (per month) $65.00 $65.00
    Demand charge (per kilowatt) $10.89 $8.84
    Energy charge (per kilowatt hour) $0.0455 $0.0424

Availability

All large commercial customers that exceed seven hundred fifty (750) kW demand during June, July, August, or September will automatically be placed on the Industrial Service Rate. Not available for temporary, standby, breakdown, supplementary, or resale service.

Rate

Charge Summer Non-Summer
Monthly Customer Charge $200.00 $200.00
DEMAND CHARGE    
First 750 kW or less billing demand $18,472.50 $14,347.50
All additional kW $24.63 $19.13
ENERGY CHARGE    
All kWh 5.09 cents 4.35 cents

Billing demand

The maximum 30 minute kW demand measured during the billing month, but not less than 75% of the maximum billing demand during the billing months of June, July, August and September of the preceding 11 month billing period.

In lieu of gross receipts tax and sales tax

In addition to the charge based on monthly rates as computed above, the total monthly charge for service shall include applicable sales taxes and an in lieu of gross receipts tax payment equal to 7.5268% of the monthly rate charge. Sales taxes shall be applied to the total of the monthly rate charge and the in lieu of gross receipts tax payment.

Power Cost Adjustment: The Power Cost Adjustment rider applies to all kWh consumption billed on this schedule. For more information, see the Power Cost Adjustment section below.

Primary service

When the customer owns and maintains all equipment, except metering equipment, necessary to take service at 13,800 volts or higher, total rate charges will be reduced by ten cents ($0.10) times the highest thirty-minute kW demand during the billing cycle.

Primary metering

 If, at the option of the department, service is metered at primary voltage, the measured demand and kwh will each be decreased by 2%.

Power factor

The customer will at all times maintain a power factor of not less than 90% lagging. If power factor is less than 90%, the measured kW demand will be multiplied by the ratio of 90% divided by the actual power factor to determine the adjusted measured demand to be used for determination of billing demand. Columbia Water & Light may, at its option, use for adjustment the power factor determined: 1.) By test during periods of maximum demand; or 2.) By measurement of the average monthly power factor.

Load shedding program

Any large general service customer may elect to reduce electrical consumption when requested to do so by the utility during load shedding periods. Large general service customers who wish to participate in the utility’s load shedding program shall inform the utility in writing no later than April 15 of each year. The application of this service will be limited to customer’s whose billing demand from one account is 750 kw and above during the summer months of July and August and whose billing demand from multiple accounts is one thousand (1,000) kw and above during the summer months of July and August. More specific terms of the load shedding program shall be defined in a separate agreement between the customer and the city.

Monthly rate: Credit for demand shedding will be computed as follows:

  • Performance rate. If the electric utility requests customer to shed load, the performance rate shall be calculated at $3.00 per month for each kW shed on average for the load shedding periods during the months of June through September. If there is no load shedding event in a given year, the credit shall be reduced to 50% of the performance rate and shall remain at that level until the customer sheds demand as part of this program in any subsequent year or until the customer’s participation in the program ends, whichever occurs first.

Metering: The utility will install all recording demand meters to measure the customer’s energy load during the periods the utility requests the customer to reduce the load. The utility shall pay for the first meter installed. Customer shall be responsible for all costs associated with all other recording demand meters installed by the utility for the customer’s participation in the program. Customer, at customer’s expense, shall also be responsible for installing and maintaining a connection to each meter for use by the utility.

A customer participating in the load shedding program shall remain in the program for an initial period of one year.

Energy storage rider

  1. Available: The energy storage rider is available to any customer receiving electric service under the industrial service rate that has installed energy storage facilities approved by the utility as being capable of sustaining at least five hundred (500) kw in equivalent energy capacity for continued load reduction for a minimum of four (4) hours.
  2. Energy charge: Energy supplied for the period beginning 12:00 midnight and ending at 6:00 a.m. shall be charged at the rate of 3.76 cents per kwh during the summer months and 3.37 cents per kwh during the non-summer months. Energy charged at this rate will be subject to the fuel adjustment allowance in section 27-118.
  3. Demand charge: As set forth in separate agreement between the utility and customer, for a period of twenty (20) hours each day the monthly measured demand will be excluded for the purpose of the billing of demand as set forth in subsection (f) while under this rider. Measured demand period will exclude Saturday and Sunday of each week.
  4. Billing demand: The maximum thirty-minute kw demand measured during the billing month, but not less than seventy-five (75) percent of the maximum billing demand during the billing months of June, July, August and September of the preceding eleven (11) months. If there has been a significant change in operation from the previous year, the director may reduce a customer’s ratchet amount to fifty (50) percent until a new maximum billing demand is set during the forthcoming June, July, August and September.
  5. Metering: The utility will install all recording demand meters necessary to measure the demand period. The customer shall pay a non-refundable fee to cover the actual costs for the metering required for the energy storage rider.
  6. Load shedding program: The load shedding program does not apply to the energy storage rider.
  7. Contract: Customers wishing to receive service on the energy storage rider must first enter into an agreement with the city that includes provisions concerning: emergency use of the system; a description of the energy storage system; listed hours in which demand charges are excluded; and length of the term of the contract.
  8. In lieu of gross receipts tax payments and sales tax: In addition to the charge based on the rates set forth in this subsection, the total monthly charge for service shall include applicable sales taxes and an in lieu of gross receipts tax payment equal to 7.5268 percent of the monthly rate charge. Sales taxes shall be applied to the total of the monthly rate charge and the in lieu of gross receipts tax payment.

Off-peak discount

  1. Available: The off-peak discount is available to any customer receiving electric service under the industrial service rate that has a load factor at or in excess of seventy-five (75) percent of their summer peak load. The load factor will be calculated using the customer’s highest one-half hour kw demand that is coincident with the annual system peak of the electric utility. Qualifying customers must notify the water and light department, in writing, that the customer wants to receive the off-peak discount.
  2. Energy charge: Energy supplied for the period beginning 12:00 midnight and ending at 6 a.m. shall be charged at the rate of 3.99 cents per kwh during the summer months and 3.45 cents per kwh during the non-summer months. Energy charged at this rate will be subject to the fuel adjustment allowance in section 27-118.
  3. Demand charge: During the hours beginning 10 p.m. and ending the following 9 a.m., the monthly measured demand will be excluded for the purpose of the billing of demand as set forth in subsection (f) while under this rider.
  4. Metering: The customer will provide the city a dedicated private phone line for the installation and operation of remote reading/recording demand and energy meter to measure the time of day readings necessary for monitoring loads and billing.
  5. Load shedding program: Customers receiving the off-peak discount are not eligible for the demand discount outlined in subsection (j).
  6. In lieu of gross receipts tax payments and sales tax: In addition to the charge based on the rates set forth in this subsection, the total monthly charge for service shall include applicable sales taxes and an in lieu of gross receipts tax payment equal to 7.5268 % of the monthly rate charge. Sales taxes shall be applied to the total of the monthly rate charge and the in lieu of gross receipts tax payment.

Interruptible service rate

  1. Available: Customers receiving service on the large general service rate or the industrial service rate and having at least 500 kw of load that is interruptible are eligible to place a contracted firm demand on the interruptible service rate. Interruptible loads are specific areas of a customer’s service that can be identified and metered and can be entirely removed from service during periods requested by the utility. Arrangements for interruptible service require a signed agreement between the customer and the city. The rate is not available for temporary, standby, breakdown, supplementary or resale service.
  2. Application: The interruptible service rate shall apply to identifiable load where the service is supplied at one point of delivery and measured through one meter. At the time of interruption the meter reading for that period should register zero. If the customer is unable to interrupt the total load at the utility’s request, a charge of $36.40 per kilowatt will be charged on the kilowatt load registered on the meter during that period. If the customer continues to violate the terms of the interruptible agreement, the customer will be removed from the interruptible rate and put on a rate based on the customer’s loads during the previous summer period. The customer will not be allowed to reapply for the interruptible rate for one year. Customers with auxiliary power connected to the interruptible load will be allowed up to one percent of the interruptible kilowatt load on the meter before the charge for the auxiliary load will be billed at $36.40 per kilowatt on a monthly basis during the interruptible period.

  3. Monthly rate charge: The monthly rate per kilowatt hour shall be as follows, subject to fuel adjustments as provided in section 27-118:

      Summer Non-Summer
    Customer charge (per month) $65.00 $65.00
    Demand charge (per kilowatt) $10.08 $8.07
    Energy charge (per kilowatt hour) $0.0469 $0.0438

Availability

This schedule is available for electrical service to sport field lighting, carnival, circus or holiday decorative lighting or similar temporary or seasonal use under provisions of the City’s Ordinance Section 27-121.

Type of service

The type of service shall be single or three phase, sixty-hertz, at one of the department’s standard service voltages.

Rate

Customer Charge – $56.10 per month
All kWh – 13.37 cents per kWh

Minimum monthly bill

Single or Three Phase Service shall be $56.10

In lieu of gross receipts tax payments and sales tax

In addition to the charge based on monthly rates as computed above, the total monthly charge for service shall include applicable sales taxes and an in lieu of gross receipts tax payment equal to 7.5268% of the monthly rate charge. Sales taxes shall be applied to the total of the monthly rate charge and the in lieu of gross receipts tax payment.

Power Cost Adjustment

The Power Cost Adjustment rider applies to all kWh consumption billed on this schedule. For more information, see the Power Cost Adjustment section below.

Primary service

When the customer owns and maintains all equipment, except metering equipment, necessary to take service at thirteen thousand eight hundred (13,800) volts or higher:

  • 5% reduction in total rate charges if service is metered at primary voltage;
  • 3% reduction in total rate charges if service is metered at secondary voltage.

Rules & regulations

Service will be furnished under, and this schedule shall be subject to, the City of Columbia’s Ordinance.

The City of Columbia has adopted a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) beginning Oct. 1, 2023. The PCA accommodates monthly fluctuations in power costs by making adjustments that reflect the true cost of power each month. 

The Power Cost Adjustment Procedure is used to calculate the monthly PCA that is applied to each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy sold by the electric utility.

Under the Electric section on the back of their bill, customers will find a line item designated PCA-Residential or PCA-Commercial. This line displays the PCA rate for the month along with the customer’s net kilowatt hour usage. A negative number indicates a credit on the customer’s bill.

Power Cost Adjustment Factor History

Negative numbers, indicating a credit on the customers’ bills, appear (in red and parentheses).

mONTH 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
jANUARY — $0.002623      
fEBRUARY — $0.004511      
mARCH — $0.009275      
aPRIL — $0.005246      
mAY —        
jUNE —        
jULY —        
aUGUST —        
SEPTEMBER —        
OCTOBER ($0.000267)        
NOVEMBER ($0.000003)        
DECEMBER $0.001886        

Water Rates Inside City Limits

Rates effective November 1, 2023

This information taken from Columbia Ordinance Chapter 27, Section 27-122 and Section 27-16. The City Council has the sole authority to set rates and charges for Columbia Water & Light services. The City reviews these rates and charges annually.

The sale of the water bond from the voter-approved 2018 Water Ballot Initiative closed October 26, 2023, a milestone that means City of Columbia Water & Light can move forward with much-anticipated improvements at the McBaine Water Treatment Plant.

With the sale of the bond, an adjusted customer base charge will go into effect beginning with the first billing cycle in November 2023.

For more information, please visit the project page at BeHeard.CoMo.gov or see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

This schedule is available for water to residential customers, commercial multiple-family facilities and multiple commercial facilities served with one meter, inside the city limits.

Water usage charges are in addition to a minimum monthly charge, which is based on meter size. Water usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons per 1 ccf.

Water usage

Summer
Summer months: June through September

  • Tier 1, 0% – 70% of winter average consumption: $3.10 per ccf
  • Tier 2, 71% – 170% of winter average consumption: $4.25 per ccf
  • Tier 3, usage exceeding 170% of winter average consumption: $6.26 per ccf

Winter average consumption is the average water use during the immediate preceding billing periods of January, February and March.

Exceptions

For water service metered separately for lawn irrigation, $6.26 per ccf will be assessed on all water consumption occurring during the period from June 1 through September 30 as defined in section 27-16.

Non-summer

Non-summer months: October through May

  • All water usage @ $3.10 per one hundred cubic feet (1 ccf).

Monthly base charge

Meter Size Monthly Base Charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $12.00
1 inch $19.38
1 1/2 inch $38.96
2 inch $59.05
3 inch $182.68
4 inch $383.13
6 inch $817.50

Fire flow charge

The fire flow charge is an additional charge to cover the cost of providing water for public fire protection. This charge is based on meter size and does not apply to lawn irrigation meters.

Meter Size Fire Flow Charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $1.59
1 inch $1.69
1 1/2 inch $2.44
2 inch $2.63
3 inch $6.31
4 inch $9.75
6 inch $19.51

Backflow prevention charge

In addition to the charges listed above, there is a charge of $2.00 for each backflow device at a customer location as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connections.

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by a proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by a municipality or other governmental authority.

This schedule is available for water to Commercial customers inside the city limits who use 500 ccf or less per month average during non-summer months (October through May).

Water usage charges are in addition to a minimum monthly charge, which is based on meter size. Water usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons per 1 ccf.

Water usage

Summer

  • Tier 1, 0% – 70% of winter average consumption: $3.10 per ccf
  • Tier 2, 71% – 170% of winter average consumption: $4.25 per ccf
  • Tier 3, usage exceeding 170% of winter average consumption: $6.26 per ccf

Winter average consumption is the average water use during the immediate preceding billing periods of January, February and March.

Exception: For water service metered separately for lawn irrigation,  $6.26 per ccf will be assessed on all water consumption occurring during the summer as defined in section 27-16 of the city ordinances.

Non-summer

  • All non-summer water usage is $3.10 per one hundred cubic feet (1 ccf).

Monthly base charge

Meter Size Monthly Base Charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $12.00
1 inch $19.38
1 1/2 inch $38.96
2 inch $59.05
3 inch $182.68
4 inch $383.13
6 inch $817.50

Fire flow charge

The fire flow charge is an additional charge to cover the cost of providing water for public fire protection. The charge is based on meter size.

Meter Size Fire Flow Charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $1.59
1 inch $1.69
1 1/2 inch $2.44
2 inch $2.63
3 inch $6.31
4 inch $9.75
6 inch $19.51

Backflow prevention charge

In addition to the charges listed above, each backflow prevention device at a customer location will be charged $2.00 as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connections.

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by a proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by a municipality or other governmental authority.

This schedule is available for water to Commercial customers inside the city limits who use more than 500 ccf per month average during non-summer months (October through May).

Water usage charges are in addition to a minimum monthly charge, which is based on meter size. Water usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons per 1 ccf.

Water usage

Summer

  • Tier 1, 0% – 70% of winter average consumption: $3.10 per ccf
  • Tier 2, 71% – 170% of winter average consumption: $4.25 per ccf
  • Tier 3, usage exceeding 170% of winter average consumption: $6.26 per ccf

Winter average consumption is the average water use during the immediate preceding billing periods of January, February and March.

Exception

For water service metered separately for lawn irrigation, $6.26 per ccf will be assessed on all water consumption occurring during the period from June 1 through September 30.

Non-summer

  • All remaining water usage is $3.10 per one hundred cubic feet (1 ccf)

Monthly base charge

Meter Size Monthly Base Charge
1 inch $19.38
1 1/2 inch $38.96
2 inch $59.05
3 inch $182.68
4 inch $383.13
6 inch $817.50
8 inch $1,353.00

Fire flow charge

The fire flow charge is an additional charge to cover the cost of providing water for public fire protection. The charge is based on meter size.

Meter Size Fire Flow Charge
1 inch $1.69
1 1/2 inch $2.44
2 inch $2.63
3 inch $6.31
4 inch $9.75
6 inch $19.51
8 inch $19.51

Backflow prevention charge

In addition to the charges listed above, each backflow prevention device at a customer location will be charged $2.00 as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connections.

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by a proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by a municipality or other governmental authority.

Water rates outside City limits

Rates effective October 1, 2022

This information taken from Columbia Ordinance Chapter 27, Section 27-122 and Section 27-16. The City Council has the sole authority to set rates and charges for Columbia Water & Light services. The City reviews these rates and charges annually.

This schedule is available for water to residential customers, commercial multiple-family facilities and multiple commercial facilities served with one meter, outside the city limits.

Water usage charges are in addition to a minimum monthly charge, which is based on meter size. Water usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons per 1 ccf.

Water usage

Summer

  • Tier 1, 0% – 70% of winter average consumption: $4.123 per ccf
  • Tier 2, 71% – 170% of winter average consumption: $5.653 per ccf
  • Tier 3, usage exceeding 170% of winter average consumption: $8.326 per ccf

Winter average consumption is the average water use during the immediate preceding billing periods of January, February and March.

Exceptions

For water service metered separately for lawn irrigation, $8.326 per ccf will be assessed on all water consumption occurring during the period from June 1 through September 30.

Non-summer months: October through May

$4.123 per ccf

Monthly base charge

Meter Size Monthly Base Charge

5/8 inch and 3/4 inch

 $15.96
1 inch $25.78
1 1/2 inch $51.82
2 inch $78.54
3 inch $242.96
4 inch $509.56
6 inch $1,087.28

Fire flow charge

The fire flow charge is an additional charge to cover the cost of providing water for public fire protection. The charge is based on meter size.

meter size fire flow charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $2.11
1 inch $2.25
1 1/2 inch $3.25
2 inch $3.50
3 inch $8.40
4 inch $12.97
6 inch $25.95

Backflow prevention charge

In addition to the charges listed above, each backflow prevention device at a customer location will be charged $2.66 as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connections.

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by a proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by a municipality or other governmental authority.

This schedule is available for water to Commercial customers outside the city limits who use 500 ccf or less per month average during non-summer months (October through May).

Water Usage Rate is in addition to monthly base charges. Water usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons per 1 ccf.

Water Usage

Summer

  • Tier 1, 0% – 70% of winter average consumption: $4.123 per ccf
  • Tier 2, 71% – 170% of winter average consumption: $5.653 per ccf
  • Tier 3, usage exceeding 170% of winter average consumption: $8.326 per ccf

Exception

Winter average consumption is the average water use during the immediate preceding billing periods of January, February and March.

For water service metered separately for lawn irrigation, $8.326 per ccf will be assessed on all water consumption occurring during the period from June 1 through September 30.

Non-summer

  • All water usage @ $4.123 per one hundred cubic feet (1 CCF).

Monthly Base Charge

Meter Size Monthly Base Charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $15.96
1 inch

$25.78
1 1/2 inch

$51.82
2 inch $78.54
3 inch

$242.96
4 inch $509.56
6 inch $1,087.28

Fire Flow Charge

The fire flow charge is an additional charge to cover the cost of providing water for public fire protection. The charge is based on meter size.

meter size fire flow charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $2.11
1 inch $2.25
1 1/2 inch $3.25
2 inch $3.50
3 inch $8.40
4 inch $12.97
6 inch $25.95

Backflow Prevention Charge

In addition to the charges listed above, each backflow prevention device at a customer location will be charged $2.66 as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connections..

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by a proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by a municipality or other governmental authority.

This schedule is available for water to Large Commercial customers outside the city limits who use more than 500 ccf per month average during non-summer months (October through May).

Water Usage Rate is in addition to monthly base charge. Water usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons per 1 ccf.

Water Usage

Summer

  • Tier 1, 0% – 70% of winter average consumption: $4.123 per ccf
  • Tier 2, 71% – 170% of winter average consumption: $5.653 per ccf
  • Tier 3, usage exceeding 170% of winter average consumption: $8.326 per ccf

Winter average consumption is the average water use during the immediate preceding billing periods of January, February and March.

Exception

For water service metered separately for lawn irrigation, $8.326 per ccf will be assessed on all water consumption occurring during the period from June 1 through September 30.

Non-summer

  • All water usage @ $4.123 per one hundred cubic feet (1 CCF)

Monthly base charge

Meter Monthly Base Charge
1 inch

$25.78
1 1/2 inch

$51.82
2 inch $78.54
3 inch

$242.96
4 inch $509.56
6 inch $1,087.28
8 inch $1,799.49

Fire Flow Charge

The fire flow charge is an additional charge to cover the cost of providing water for public fire protection. The charge is based on meter size.

Meter Size Fire Flow Charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $2.11
1 inch $2.25
1 1/2 inch $3.25
2 inch $3.50
3 inch $8.40
4 inch $12.97
6 inch $25.95
8 inch $25.95

Backflow Prevention Charge

In addition to the charges listed above, each backflow prevention device at a customer location will be charged $2.66 as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connections.

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by a proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by a municipality or other governmental authority.

 

Availability

This schedule is available for water furnished to customers at the Columbia Regional Airport.

Water Usage Rate is in addition to monthly base charge. Water usage 
is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons 
per 1 ccf.

All water @ $4.46 per one hundred cubic feet (1 ccf).

Monthly Base Charge

Meter Size Minimum Charge Per Month
5/8 inch $12.00
1 inch

$19.38
1 1/2 inch $38.96
2 inch

$59.05
3 inch $182.68
4 inch

$383.13
6 inch $817.50

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by municipality or other governmental authority.

Backflow Prevention Charge

In addition to the charges listed above, there is a charge of $2.00 for each backflow device at a customer location as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connections.

Former Water #1 and #2 customers

Rates Effective October 1, 2022

This information taken from Columbia Ordinance Chapter 27, Section 27-122 and Section 27-16. The City Council has the sole authority to set rates and charges for Columbia Water & Light services. The City reviews these rates and charges annually.

This schedule is available for water to residential customers, commercial multiple-family facilities and multiple commercial facilities, served with one meter, outside the city limits and within former boundaries of dissolved Public Water Supply Districts No. 1 and No. 2.

Water usage charges are in addition to a monthly base charge, which is determined by meter size. Water usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons per 1 ccf.

Water Usage

Summer: June through September

  • Tier 1, 0% – 70% of winter average consumption: $3.587 per ccf
  • Tier 2, 71% – 170% of winter average consumption: $4.917 per ccf
  • Tier 3, usage exceeding 170% of winter average consumption: $7.243 per ccf

Winter average consumption is the average water use during the immediate preceding billing periods of January, February and March.

Exception

For water service metered separately for lawn irrigation, $7.243 per ccf will be assessed on all water consumption occurring during the period from June 1 through September 30.

Non-summer: October through May

  • $3.587 per one hundred cubic feet (1 ccf)

Monthly Base Charge

Meter Size Monthly Base Charge

5/8 inch and 3/4 inch

 $13.88
1 inch $22.42
1 1/2 inch $45.08
2 inch $68.32
3 inch $211.36
4 inch $443.28
6 inch $945.85

Fire Flow Charge

The fire flow charge is an additional charge to cover the cost of providing water for public fire protection. The charge is based on meter size.

Meter Size Fire Flow Charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $1.84
1 inch $1.96
1 1/2 inch $2.82
2 inch $3.04
3 inch $7.30
4 inch $11.28
6 inch $22.57

Backflow Prevention

In addition to the charges listed above, each backflow prevention device at a customer location will be charged $2.31 as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connections.

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by municipality or other governmental authority.

Former Water District Customers Outside City Limits

This schedule is available for water to Commercial customers outside the city limits, and within the former boundaries of dissolved Public Water Supply District No. 1 and No. 2, who use 500 ccf or less per month average during non-summer months (October through May).

Water Usage Rate is in addition to monthly base charges. Water usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons per 1 ccf.

Water Usage

Summer

  • Tier 1, 0% – 70% of winter average consumption: $3.587 per ccf
  • Tier 2, 71% – 170% of winter average consumption: $4.917 per ccf
  • Tier 3, usage exceeding 170% of winter average consumption: $7.243 per ccf

Winter average consumption is the average water use immediate preceding billing periods of January, February and March.

Exception

For water service metered separately for lawn irrigation, $7.243 per ccf will be assessed on all water consumption occurring during the period from June 1 through September 30.

Non-summer

  • All water usage is $3.587 per one hundred cubic feet (1 CCF)

Monthly Base Charge

Meter Size Monthly Base Charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $13.88
1 inch

$22.42
1 1/2 inch

$45.08
2 inch $68.32
3 inch

$211.36
4 inch $443.28
6 inch $945.85

Fire Flow Charge

The fire flow charge is an additional charge to cover the cost of providing water for public fire protection. The charge is based on meter size.

Meter Size Fire Flow Charge
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch $1.84
1 inch $1.96
1 1/2 inch $2.82
2 inch $3.04
3 inch $7.30
4 inch $11.28
6 inch $22.57

Backflow Prevention

In addition to the charges listed above, each backflow prevention device at a customer location will be charged $2.31 as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connection.

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by municipality or other governmental authority.

This schedule is available for water to Large Commercial customers outside the city limits, and within the former boundaries of dissolved Public Water Supply District No. 1 and No. 2, who use more than 500 ccf per month average during non-summer months (October through May).

Water Usage Rate is in addition to monthly base charges. Water usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (ccf). There are approximately 748 gallons per 1 ccf.

Water usage

Summer

  • Tier 1, 0% – 70% of winter average consumption: $3.587 per ccf
  • Tier 2, 71% – 170% of winter average consumption: $4.917 per ccf
  • Tier 3, usage exceeding 170% of winter average consumption: $7.243 per ccf

Winter average consumption is the average water use during the immediate preceding billing periods of January, February and March.

Exception

For water service metered separately for lawn irrigation, $7.243 per ccf will be assessed on all water consumption occurring during the period from June 1 through September 30.

Non-summer

  • All water usage @ $3.587 per one hundred cubic feet (1 CCF)

Monthly base charge

Meter Size Monthly Base Charge
1 inch

$22.42
1 1/2 inch

$45.08
2 inch $68.32
3 inch

$211.36
4 inch $443.28
6 inch $945.85
8 inch $1,565.42

Fire flow charge

The fire flow charge is an additional charge to cover the cost of providing water for public fire protection. The charge is based on meter size.

Meter Size Fire Flow Charge
1 inch

$1.96
1 1/2 inch

$2.82
2 inch $3.04
3 inch

$7.30
4 inch $11.28
6 inch $22.57
8 inch $22.57

Backflow prevention

In addition to the charges listed above, each backflow prevention device at a customer location will be charged $2.31 as outlined in Section 27-57 Cross Connections.

Taxes

Bills computed under this rate schedule are subject to increase by proportionate part of any existing, new, or increased rate of gross receipts tax or other similar tax levied by municipality or other governmental authority.

Solid waste rates

Residential rates effective September 21, 2020, commercial and landfill rates effective September 17, 2018

Monthly collection rates

  • $12.87 Single-family residents with curbside collection who have a 35-gallon roll cart.
  • $17.37 Single-family residents with curbside collection who have a 65-gallon roll cart.
  • $22.50 Single-family residents with curbside collection who have a 95-gallon roll cart.
  • $15.72 Multi-family/apartment residents with bulk containers (not curbside collection), do not get bag vouchers and pay their own collection fee.
  • $15.45 Multi-family/Apartment residents with bulk collection containers (not curbside collection) who do not get bag vouchers, but landlord pays collection fee.
  • $29.00 per appliance with refrigerant (refrigerators, window air conditioners, etc)
  • $21.50 per appliance without refrigerant (stove, dishwasher, etc)

Commercial trash collection and roll-off services

The Solid Waste Utility offers commercial trash collection for waste removal from small single offices to large manufacturers. Services and equipment are available that range from a single bag for small generators to large 40 cubic yard compactors for manufacturers. We are committed to providing customers with excellent customer service, experienced drivers, early morning service, a wide selection of containers and competitive rates.

Monthly fees for recycling are 15-20% less than trash service. Please consider recycling and your solid waste bill might be reduced! Visit the Commercial Recycling Services page to find out more.  

Commercial trash services

The City’s Solid Waste Utility offers a wide range of commercial services to meet your needs. We are able to provide next-day service for construction containers (1-3 business days for roll-off containers) and contracts are not required. These are entities that subscribe to either permanently placed on-call (roll-off/compactor) service or a regularly scheduled front or rear loading container.

Containers (dumpsters) are available in the following sizes*:

  • 2 cubic yard – 6’6″ wide x 4′ 2″ high x 3′ 8″long – rear load
  • 2 cubic yard – 6’8″ wide x 3′ 9″ high x 3′ 4″‘ long – front load
  • 4 cubic yard – 6’8″ wide x 4′ 11″high x 6′ 2″‘ long – front load
  • 6 cubic yard – 6’8″ wide x 5′ 9″ high x 5′ 4″ long – front load
  • 8 cubic yard – 6’8″ wide x 6 2″ high x 6′ 4″ long – front load

* sizes may vary slightly by container manufacturer.

Monthly fees for service are based on the size of the container, front or rear load container and the number of collections per week as shown in the following charts:

Trash (Front loading dumpster)

CUBIC YARDS 1X PER WK 2X PER WK 3X PER WK 4X PER WK 5X PER WK 6X PER WK EXTRA COLLECTION
2 $89.48 $143.81 $210.92 $290.84 $383.54 $489.02 $103
4 $103.74 $185.97 $289.50 $414.35 $560.52 $727.95 $165
6 $122.36 $228.61 $360.43 $517.80 $700.77 $909.31 $208
8 $139.88 $276.14 $446.47 $650.93 $889.48 $1,162.12 $273

Trash (Rear loading dumpster)

CUBIC YARDS 1X PER WK 2X PER WK 3X PER WK 4X PER WK 5X PER WK 6X PER WK EXTRA COLLECTION
2 $104.39 $162.99 $234.38 $318.55 $415.50 $525.25 $110
Roll Cart $26.10 $40.75 $58.60 $79.64 $103.88 $131.31 $28

*Any unscheduled collections that are requested by the property owner would result in a one-time, extra collection fee. 

Construction dumpsters

Various sizes of containers are available for construction use. Temporary set construction containers are not available outside of the city limits.

Front loading containers:

  • Sizes*:
    • 6 cubic yard – 5’5″ wide x 5′ high x 6’6″ long
    • 8 cubic yard – 5’5″ wide x 7′ high x 6’6″ long
      * sizes may vary slightly by container manufacturer.
  • Charges:
    $93.81 setting fee + $138.82 per service. Dumpsters must be serviced once per calendar month (after set month) or a minimum monthly service charge of $138.82 will apply.

Roll-off containers and compactors

  • Sizes*:
    14 yard (Mini) – 5’6″ high x 7’6″ wide x 13’6″ long
    20 yard – 4′ high x 8′ wide x 22′ long 
    30 yard – 6′ high x 7’6″ wide x 22′ long
    40 yard – 7’6″ high x 7′ wide x 22′ long
    * sizes may vary slightly by container manufacturer.

    Charges for mini roll-off:
    $72.13 per collection + $55 per ton. After the month of placement, container must be serviced once per calendar month or a minimum monthly charge of $72.13 will apply.

    Charges for 20, 30 or 40-yard roll-off:
    $101.47 per collection + $55 per ton. After the month of placement, container must be serviced once per calendar month or a minimum monthly charge of  $101.47 will apply.

Compactors are available for commercial/ industrial waste removal. Sizes and leases are specific for individual company needs. Service charges for this service are $72.13 or $101.47 per pull plus $55 per ton.

NOTE: Cardboard recycling roll-offs and compactors are completely FREE (no collection fee; no tonnage fee). Other types of recycling are available, and they cost 15% less than the trash tonnage rate.
NOTE: Only 14-yard mini roll-off and 20-yard roll-off containers are rented for roofing material.

To arrange for service

Call the Contact Center, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 573.874.2489 or email [email protected].

The City of Columbia offers commercial (non-residential) recycling services. Businesses can receive dumpsters or roll carts to store recyclable material behind their building and the container(s) would be emptied by a Solid Waste Utility vehicle. The monthly rates are based on material type, container size and collection frequency (see tables below). For example, mixed fiber recycling can be disposed using a 95-gallon roll cart that is emptied one time per week and the cost would be $22.19/month. If you want the roll cart emptied three times per week, it would cost $49.81/month. The cost for recycling is less than the trash rates, so you can save money on your utility bill by adding recycling services and reducing your trash services. Please contact us for help, if needed. 

Businesses who do not already have Solid Waste services by the City of Columbia should complete a Property Damage Waiver (sign, print, return).

What We Collect 

Commercial recycling rates are added to the monthly utility bill. When you add recycling, please consider reducing trash services!

Mixed Container Collection:

  • All Plastics (#1-7), except Styrofoam and plastic film/bags
  • Aluminum Cans
  • Glass Bottles and Jars
  • Metal Food Cans   

 

Mixed Container Monthly Rates

CUBIC YARDS 1X PER WK 2X PER WK 3X PER WK 4X PER WK 5X PER WK 6X PER WK EXTRA COLLECTION
2 $88.73 $138.54 $199.22 $270.77 $353.18 $446.46 $93.50
4 $99.69 $175.01 $268.45 $380.00 $509.67 $657.44 $147.05
6 $116.08 $220.82 $352.72 $511.79 $698.04 $911.46 $213.35
8 $129.71 $261.80 $430.11 $634.65 $875.43 $1,152.44 $277.95
ROLL CART $22.19 $34.64 $49.81 $67.69 $88.30 $111.61 $23.80

 

Mixed Fiber Collection:

  • Cardboard
  • Office Paper
  • Newspaper and Inserts
  • Catalogs and Magazines
  • Phone Books
  • Brown Paper Bags
  • Boxboard and Chipboard

Mixed Fiber Monthly Rates

CUBIC YARDS 1X PER WK 2X PER WK 3X PER WK 4X PER WK 5X PER WK 6X PER WK EXTRA COLLECTION
2 $88.73 $138.54 $199.22 $270.77 $353.18 $446.46 $93.50
4 $99.69 $175.01 $268.45 $380.00 $509.67 $657.44 $147.05
6 $116.08 $220.82 $352.72 $511.79 $698.04 $911.46 $213.35
8 $129.71 $261.80 $430.11 $634.65 $875.43 $1,152.44 $277.95
ROLL CART $22.19 $34.64 $49.81 $67.69 $88.30 $111.61 $23.80

 

Cardboard-only Collection:

  • > 90% Cardboard
  • < 10% Mixed Fibers

 

Cardboard-only Monthly Rates   

CUBIC YARDS 1X PER WK 2X PER WK 3X PER WK 4X PER WK 5X PER WK 6X PER WK EXTRA COLLECTION
2 $83.51 $130.39 $187.50 $254.84 $332.40 $420.20 $88
4 $93.82 $164.71 $252.66 $357.65 $479.69 $618.77 $138.40
6 $109.26 $207.83 $331.98 $481.68 $656.98 $857.84 $200.80
8 $122.08 $246.40 $404.81 $597.32 $823.94 $1,084.65 $261.60
ROLL CART $20.88 $32.60 $46.88 $63.71 $83.10 $105.05 $22.40
Are there any financial incentives for businesses to add recycling?

Yes. The commercial recycling services cost 15-20% less than commercial trash services. When a business adds recycling, they are reducing the amount of waste entering their trash dumpster. Therefore, they can reduce the size of the trash dumpster or the number of collects per week to offset the cost of recycling. A business can even save money on their solid waste bill if most of their waste generated is recyclable. Please call the Contact Center for more information 573.874.2489.

What recycling service makes the most sense for my business?

The most common recycling service that businesses choose is cardboard-only. This dumpster can include some office paper and newspapers, but > 90% of the material should be cardboard. This service costs less than other types of recycling because the material is mostly pre-sorted. The mixed container recycling is popular for restaurants and bars, and food waste recycling is a new option that we are promoting. Please keep in mind that you can always change the dumpster size or collection frequency at no cost. Some businesses experiment with different recycling options for 1-2 weeks before deciding on a more permanent service.

Does it matter if there is no recycling symbol on a plastic item?

No. The City of Columbia recycles all plastics except Styrofoam and plastic film/ bags. This means that if you can identify those two exceptions, it does not matter what type of plastic you are trying to recycle.

$55 per ton; $25 minimum charge

Sewer rates

Rates Effective September 17, 2018

This information taken from Columbia Ordinance – Chapter 22, Section 22-263. The City Council has the sole authority to set rates and charges for utility services. The City reviews these rates and charges annually.

Volume Charge

  • $ 2.55* volume charge per ccf (ccf = 100 cubic feet) for both Residential and Non-Residential customers

One base charge shall be charged per user for each meter and based on the size of the meter as follows:

Water Meter Size (inches) Meter Capacity Capacity Difference Base Charge by Meter Capactity
5/8 20 1 $12.37*
3/4 30 1.5 $18.57*
1 50 2.5 $30.95*
1 1/2  100 5 $61.88*
2 160 8 $99.01*
3 320 16 $198.03*
4 500 25 $309.41*
6 1,000 50 $618.84*
8 1,600 80 $990.13*
10 2,300 115 $1423.31*
12 4,300 215 $2660.99*

*Customers outside the City Limits are charged 1.5 times the base rate and the volume charge.

For questions about your sewer utility bill, please contact Utility Customer Service at 573.874.7380.

Stormwater rates

Rates effective September 16, 2019

This information taken from Columbia Ordinance – Chapter 12A, Section 12A-148. The City Council has the sole authority to set rates and charges for utility services. The City reviews these rates and charges annually.

Monthly charges for Stormwater Utility is to be paid by the occupant or owner of each parcel of developed land within the city in accordance with the table below: 

Category of land use Monthly Charge
Multiple-family buildings having more than four units; single-family residences having a main floor area less than 750 sq. ft. $1.90 per unit
Multiple-family buildings having four or less units; mobile homes; single-family residences having a main floor area of from 750 sq. ft. to 1,250 sq. ft. $2.49 per unit
Single-family residences having a main floor area of from 1,251 sq. ft. to 2,000 sq. ft. $3.37 per unit
Single-family residence having a main floor area more than 2,000 sq. ft. $3.96 per unit
All non-residential uses of developed land

$11.72 or $0.117 per 100 square feet
impervious area, whichever is greater

City of Columbia Utilities rate study and cost of service

Sewer, Solid Waste, Stormwater rate study and cost of service presentaion

Utilities such as the City of Columbia’s Sewer, Stormwater and Solid Waste departments need a multiyear rates plan to balance hitting their revenue requirements with keeping rates affordable for their customers.
 
City of Columbia Utilities and Stantec Consulting hosted a meeting to discuss the results of a rate study. The study, which examined revenue sufficiency, cost of service, rate design, and customer impact, focused on Sewer, Solid Waste, and Stormwater rates.
 

Rates 101 presentation

Presentation slideshow

To explain how the Utility departments determine revenue sufficiency, cost of service, rate design and customer impact, City of Columbia Utilities and Stantec Consulting hosted a Rates 101 presentation Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in the City Council Chambers.