Columbia Payment of differential cost for water and sewer lines ordinance (§ 22-74)
Chapter 22: Public Works and Improvements · Article III. Public Improvements
In short: If you're extending a water or sewer line to your property, the city can require a larger line to serve other areas, and it must pay you the extra cost. The city manager can approve payments up to $25,000; anything over that needs city council approval.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
When a property owner is extending a water or sewer line to serve the owner's property, the city may require the property owner to increase the size of the water or sewer line in order to provide adequate service to other areas. The city, in such cases, shall pay the property owner for the extra cost incurred in building the larger water or sewer line. The city manager may authorize such projects involving city payments of up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00). Projects requiring city payments exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) must be authorized by the city council.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 22-74
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.