Columbus Utilities Guide
The Department of Public Utilities handles all the utility services for the City of Columbus and contracting suburban communities. When new homeowners or business owners move into the area, they can call the main number for their new utility services and they will be directed to the nearest utility partner in their area. 910 Dublin Road | (614) 645-8276
Water
The Department of Public Utilities handles all water concerns, consisting of distribution, treatment, payment office, meter reading, repair and inspections. The Columbus water sources include the Scioto River which features the Griggs and O’Shaugnessy Reservoirs, and the Big Walnut Creek system which feeds the Hoover Reservoir. Columbus asks its residents to help preserve the quality of the water tributaries for both humans and local wildlife. Businesses and residents are asked not to throw oil, grease or fats down the drain, and not to throw yard waste into ditches, roadways or storm drains.
Sewage Treatment
Columbus Division of Sewage and Drainage is responsible for collecting and treating water from the storm drains, industrial sites, infrastructure industries, and the operation of the city’s mulching/soil production. The Division of Sewage and Drainage operates two treatment plants – the Jackson Pike and Southerly. The Columbus Treatment Plants use two systems to treat the water system, “combined” and “separate” sewers. The earlier treatment design backed up when there was an over abundance of rainfall, which caused backup water to flow into the basement of homes, businesses, and well waters. A recent underground tunnel system takes extra rainwater flow in the sewers, into the treatment plants. Not every home is responsible for sewer services. New homeowners are asked to contact the Department of Public Utility, via online, phone, or in person, to verify if their property is eligible for sanitary sewer service from the City of Columbus.
Electric
Teaching Columbus residents how to read their own meters, goes along way to have lower electrical bills. Electric meters are generally located in Columbus homes and commercial buildings, either in the basement or a utility closet. A pamphlet is provided to all electric utility consumers on how to read their meters and other electric cost savings. There are some older Columbus neighborhoods who do not have street lights. If a new homeowner moves into any of these communities, they have an option of sharing in costs, for a standard wood pole street lighting or a more historic, decorative lighting. A Residential Street Lighting Assessment Brochure is supplied to all residents, notifying them of the phone number to call regarding street lighting. Columbus has designed several programs to help homeowners and seniors with discounts on their electric billing.
