Columbus Water Bill Help 2026–27: The 30% Discount, Senior Service Charge Waivers, Payment Plans and Emergency Help
Updated: 1 day ago
Columbus water customers got a bigger bill this year. On January 1, 2026, the city raised water rates 18%, sewer 8% and stormwater 2%. The city estimates the average family of four is paying about $10 more a month, with larger households paying a bit more.
The city also runs one of the more generous water discounts in Ohio: 30% off your usage charges if you qualify, and for some seniors, service charges waived on top of that. Here's who qualifies, how to apply, what to do if you can't pay a bill on time, and where to find emergency help in Franklin County.
Last reviewed: October 2026. See our Editorial Standards for how we check these details.
This guide covers customers of Columbus Water & Power (CWP).
Where Columbus water customers should start
Discount: 30% off water/sewer usage and/or city power usage for eligible Columbus Water & Power customers.
Seniors 60+: may also have service charges waived.
Who qualifies: households enrolled in SNAP, Ohio Medicaid, HEAP, Ohio Works First or public housing, or with income below 200% of poverty (about $51,876 for a family of three, per the city).
Apply: online at columbus.gov/payassist, or print and mail an application.
Can't pay this bill? Request a Special Payment Plan for a one- or two-month extension. The city says payment plans are available regardless of income.
Questions: 614-645-8276, weekdays 7 a.m.–6 p.m., or discountprograms@columbus.gov.
Emergency help for families with kids: Franklin County PRC, 614-233-2999.
Why Bills Went Up in 2026
The city says the increases pay for major projects driven by growth: a fourth water plant expected to break ground in late 2026 at an estimated $2 billion, new reservoirs, treatment upgrades at its three existing plants, aging pipes and new rules like its Lead Safe Columbus program. Sewer increases fund more treatment capacity and its Blueprint Columbus work on overflows and basement backups.
City power customers (not AEP Ohio) also saw an increase on January 1, the second in 19 years. The city estimates about $7, or 12%, for residential customers with low to average use.
Rates are reviewed each year by the city's Utility Advisory Board and approved by City Council. More increases are possible. That makes the discount worth applying for now.
The Income-Qualified Discount Program
What you get
Eligible Columbus Water & Power customers get a 30% discount on usage, meaning the part of the bill based on how much water you use (and electricity, for city power customers). Approved customers 60 and older may qualify for additional discounts, including having their service charges waived.
Who qualifies
You qualify if you're an active CWP customer and either:
You're already enrolled in a qualifying program such as SNAP, Ohio Medicaid, HEAP, Ohio Works First or public housing benefits, or
Your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level
The city stresses that if you're in one of those programs, you qualify regardless of the income table.
2026 income limits
The city counts the income of all household members over 18. Its listed maximums:
Household size | Maximum gross income |
1 | $33,498 |
2 | $44,380 |
3 | $51,876 |
4 | $65,524 |
5 | $75,666 |
6 | $84,426 |
7 | $92,574 |
8 | $105,046 |
9 or more | $124,482 |
The city calls these "adjusted" limits based on 200% of poverty and says they're updated every February.
Note: some of these figures don't match a straight 200% of the HHS 2026 poverty guidelines (for example, $33,498 for one person versus about $31,920). We've listed the city's numbers as published. If you're near the line, apply anyway or call 614-645-8276.
How to apply
Online: go to columbus.gov/payassist, fill out the form and upload supporting documents.
By mail: print the Single Family Property application (English or Spanish) from the city's site and mail it.
Apartment or multi-unit buildings: the city has a separate Multi-Unit Brochure/Application. If your water is billed to your landlord rather than you, ask the city whether the multi-unit program applies.
The city's page doesn't list exactly which documents to upload. Have ready:
A benefit letter for SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, Ohio Works First or public housing, or
Proof of income for every adult in the household
Your CWP account number from your bill
Can't Pay This Bill? Ask for a Special Payment Plan
If you just need more time, you can request a Special Payment Plan (SPP) online. The city says it can give you an extension of one or two months on your current charges. There are separate requests for water/sewer and city power.
The city says payment plans are available regardless of income.
The rule that keeps the plan alive
Any new bills that come out after your SPP is approved are due on their own due dates. Pay them on time or the arrangement can fall apart.
Keep in mind that residential water and sewer bills come every three months, while city power bills are monthly. A quarterly water bill can be a shock if you're not setting money aside. Divide each bill by three and put that amount aside monthly.
High Bill? Check for a Leak First
The city notes that a sudden jump can signal a leak or seasonal outdoor watering. Before you assume the bill is wrong:
Request free toilet dye strips from the city to test for a silent toilet leak.
Read your meter. The city recommends checking the meter and the remote reader at least once a year and comparing the readings. Its site explains how to read your meter and calculate a bill.
Find your shut-off valve so you can stop water quickly in an emergency.
If you water a lot outdoors, the city says an auxiliary meter can reduce sewer charges on water that doesn't go down the drain, but you have to buy, install and maintain it privately.
The city also partners with Service Line Warranties of America on optional water and sewer line repair plans (1-844-257-8795). That's an extra-cost product, not assistance. Read the terms before you sign up.
Emergency Help: Franklin County PRC
Franklin County's Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) program gives one-time emergency assistance to low-income families facing a crisis that lasts less than four months. It can cover:
Utility bills, except your home heating utility while the Winter Crisis Program is running
Rent or mortgage and security deposits
Car repairs for work, home repairs and certain bus passes
Who qualifies
You live in Franklin County
At least one minor child, pregnant person or non-custodial parent lives in your home
Gross household income at or below 175% of poverty
You complete a Sustainability Determination
The county's 175% monthly income limits are $2,328 for one person, $3,156 for two, $3,985 for three and $4,813 for four.
Call the PRC Inbound Center at 614-233-2999. Applications and documents go to the county's PRC email address listed on its site. The county offices are at 373 S. High St.
Pay in Person
Columbus Water & Power Walk-in Payment Office 111 N. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215 Weekdays 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free short-term parking in the garage across Long Street, plus an after-hours drop box.
Quick Checklist
On SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP or Ohio Works First? Apply for the 30% discount at columbus.gov/payassist.
60 or older? Ask about the service charge waiver.
Behind? Request a Special Payment Plan online and pay new bills on time.
Kids at home and in crisis? Call Franklin County PRC at 614-233-2999.
Bill spiked? Test for leaks with free dye strips and read your meter.
One caution: we couldn't confirm everything. the city's application PDF and flyer couldn't be opened, so the exact documents required, processing time and any renewal requirement aren't stated. The city's shutoff notice timeline for unpaid water bills wasn't on the pages we read. Some of the city's income limits differ from 200% of HHS guidelines (flagged above). A city water/sewer relief program run through Columbus Apply for Hope showed as closed and its page timed out, so it isn't covered.
Related Guides
More help in Columbus
Every guide we have for Columbus is listed on our Columbus financial help hub. Related guides for the same area:
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