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Customers may be eligible for one bill reduction per 12 month period. Customers that meet financial hardship requirements may also qualify for assistance from the City’s Customer Assistance Program even if they have received a bill reduction.

Plumbing Repair Reduction

Customers may be eligible for a bill reduction when plumbing problems occur on the property. Before an account can be reviewed for an adjustment, proof of repairs is required.

Rules:

  • After repairs have been completed, the water usage at the location must return to normal before a credit can be applied to the account.
  • No more than 3 months are adjusted for any plumbing problem event.
  • Only 1 adjustment is allowed per 12 month period.
  • Courtesy Reduction

Customers may be eligible for a one month reduction of water and sewer charges by 50% after a high use bill. Courtesy reductions are used if a customer cannot identify the cause of an unexpected high use or if the cause was not from a leak that has since been repaired.

COVID Assistance Programs

Wateree Community Actions Household Water Assistance Program

  • For residents in Richland, Kershaw, Lee, Sumter, or Clarendon County
  • Assists low income households with water and sewer bills
  • A flyer with details can be found here.
  • For more information about Wateree Community Actions, please visit www.wcai.org

Richland County Emergency Assistance Program

  • For renters in Richland County only
  • This program assists with utility bills and rent for customers that are behind on payments due to COVID.
  • Qualifying renters can receive up to a year of rental and utility assistance
  • Visit richlandcountysc.gov/era
  • Call 855-216-9198

Customer Assistance Program

The City of Columbia Customer Assistance Program is available to Columbia Water customers in critical financial need to help pay their past-due water and sewer bills.

If you qualify, the program will pay for up to 75% of a water or sewer bill up to $1,000. This can include any past-due balance or fees. Customers can receive assistance up to 2 times every 36 months (3 years) but no more than one time every 12 months.

To qualify you must:

  • Be a single-family residential customer
  • Have a minimum 6 month payment history
  • Have income at or below the 80% Area Median Income for Richland County
  • Meet with City representatives to go over other program requirements.

To see if you qualify for assistance, Contact Customer Care at +1 (803) 545-3300. You can download the application and checklist here or by clicking the thumbnail image to the right. Once completed, the form and appropriate documentation can be sent to [email protected].