OUCC: Columbus City Utilities

The City of Columbus is seeking a water rate increase and financing authority in a pending case before the Commission (Cause No. 46173). The OUCC and the utility have reached an agreement in principle and anticipate filing a formal settlement agreement by Apr. 30, 2025.

The IURC held a Mar. 10, 2025 public field hearing in Columbus. The OUCC issued a media release inviting public comments on Feb. 25, 2025.

A Commission order is expected later this year.

All publicly filed documents in the case, including the City's testimony, are available from the IURC's online case file for Cause No. 46173.

The IURC approved Columbus' current water rates in 2021.

Municipal sewer utilities are exempt from IURC oversight. Locally elected city and town councils approve their rates.

4-7-25

Prior Rate Case
The IURC has approved a settlement agreement setting new water rates for Columbus City Utilities (IURC Cause No. 45427). The agreement approves the city's first water rate increase in more than 25 years. Monthly residential water charges for 5,000 gallons will increase in three phases, rising from the current $11.43 amount to $19.80 when fully implemented in 2024.
The OUCC recommended approval of most of the utility's request in its Dec. 11, 2020 testimony:
Our infographic outlines the steps in a rate case.
An IURC public field hearing was held in Columbus on Dec. 2, 2020. The OUCC issued a Nov. 23, 2020 news release to invite consumer comments.
All publicly filed documents are posted in the IURC's online case file, including the utility's initial testimony:
Previous water rates for Columbus were approved in 1994.
Only the city's water rates were at issue in this case. Municipal sewer utilities are exempt from IURC oversight, with locally elected city and town councils setting their rates.