Columbia Water temporarily supplied by adjoining water district ordinance (§ 27-122.3)
Chapter 27: Utilities · Article III. Water and Light System
In short: When an adjoining water district temporarily supplies water to a new development in Columbia's service territory, customers pay 110 percent of that district's rate per 100 cubic feet, plus the monthly minimum charge for their meter size under section 27-122(a)(2). Existing city customers temporarily switched during a leak or other disruption are exempt.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) Application: This rate shall apply to water supplied by an adjoining water district, when development occurs in the City of Columbia Water Service Territory, until city water mains have reached the development. Water meters shall be installed and read by city employees.
(b) The rates to be charged for water furnished to residential or commercial customers are hereby fixed as follows:
(1) Rates per one hundred (100) cubic feet (1 ccf): All water, beginning with first one hundred (100) cubic feet (1 ccf): One hundred ten (110) percent of the applicable rate charged by the water district supplying the water.
(2) Minimum charge per month, charged in addition to the volume charge in subsection (b)(1), will be the amount listed in section 27-122(a)(2), based on meter size.
(c) Exception: This rate will not apply to existing city customers when a leak, or other disruption of supply, requires that the city temporarily take supply from an adjoining water district.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 27-122.3
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.