200 North 12th Street
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 791 - 1880
Information on Water and/or Sewer services may be obtained by calling a Customer Service Representative at City Hall.
General Description
The City's Water and Sewer System is comprised of a water system and a sewer system. The Water Utility and Sewer Utility were established on June 25, 1925, and were combined into one entity on December 4, 1936, pursuant to an ordinance of the West Columbia City Council. The System is operated under the control of the City Council on a consolidated basis.
Service Area
The System's service area, which includes all of the City and portions of unincorporated areas of the County making up approximately 5% of the County's land area and including 20% of the County's population (including the City), is bounded on the north by Lake Murray, on the east by the City of Columbia, on the southeast and south by the City of Cayce and rural areas of the County served by the Joint Commission, and on the west by the Town of Lexington's water and sewer service area. The unincorporated areas of the County included in the Service Area adhere to those established by ordinance of the County Council of the County in 1988.
The Water Utility currently consists of the following components: three finished water reservoirs with a total capacity of 870,000 gallons; four high service pumps which pump from 1,400 to 3,200 gallons per minute ("GPM"), four elevated storage tanks (Green Hill Standpipe at 2.5 million gallons, Platt Springs Road at 500,000 gallons, Pony Hill Road at 1.0 million gallons and the Laurel Road Standpipe at 2.03 million gallons), and two booster stations pumping from 520 to 625 GPM. The Water Utility has 106 miles of distribution lines varying from two inches to 36 inches in diameter.
The City currently owns two water treatment facilities, a 6.0 million gallon per day facility which is located on the Saluda River and the 13.5 million gallons per day Lake Murray Plant. Average daily use for the Saluda River Plant is 3.273 million gallons per day and for the Lake Murray Plant, 9,023 million gallons per day.
The Sewer Utility is a wastewater collection system comprised of 70 miles of sewer main. Approximately 35% of the Sewer Utility's components are less than 15 years old. Wastewater collection by the City is treated at Metro Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant, of which the City's available capacity is 3.27 million gallons per day.
Use the following rates to calculate bills for water consumption and sewer usage.
Most residential customers are billed bi-monthly (every other month).
| WATER SERVICE RATES | ||
| USAGE IN GALLONS | IN TOWN RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL |
OUT of TOWN* RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL |
| Up to 6,000 gallons (minimum billing) | $15.10 | $30.10 |
| Next 3,000 gallons |
$2.37 (per 1,000 gallons) | $3.52 (per 1,000 gallons) |
| Next 5,000 gallons |
$2.42 (per 1,000 gallons) | $3.58 (per 1,000 gallons) |
| Next 20,000 gallons |
$2.48 (per 1,000 gallons) | $3.63 (per 1,000 gallons) |
| Next 30,000 gallons |
$2.53 (per 1,000 gallons) | $3.69 (per 1,000 gallons) |
| Next 40,000 gallons |
$2.59 (per 1,000 gallons) | $3.74 (per 1,000 gallons) |
| Next 150,000 gallons |
$2.64 (per 1,000 gallons) | $3.80 (per 1,000 gallons) |
| Over 250,000 gallons | $2.70 (per 1,000 gallons) | $3.85 (per 1,000 gallons) |
| SEWER SERVICE RATES | ||
| USAGE IN GALLONS | IN TOWN RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL |
OUT of TOWN RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL |
| Up to 6,000 gallons (minimum billing) | $9.20 | $16.50 |
| Each additional 1,000 gallons | $1.38 | $2.09 |
| WATER TAP FEES | ||
| LINE SIZE | CURRENT IN TOWN | CURRENT OUT OF TOWN |
| 3/4 - inch | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| 1 - inch | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| 1 1/2 - inch | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| 2 - inch | 6,000 | 12,000 |
| 3 - inch | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| 4 - inch | 17,500 | 35,000 |
| 6 - inch | 35,000 | 70,000 |
| 8 - inch | 50,000 | 100,000 |
| SEWER TAP FEES | ||
| LINE SIZE | CURRENT IN TOWN | CURRENT OUT OF TOWN |
| Residential (4-inch) | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Commercial (4-inch) | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| Commercial (6-inch) | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| Commercial (8-inch) | 2,500 | 5,000 |
| Commercial (10-inch) | 3,500 | 7,000 |
| Commercial (12-inch) | 4,500 | 9,000 |
| YOUR WATER & IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS |
Clean, pure, safe water is today's biggest bargain. A good water supply rarely receives public recognition because, like good health is taken for granted. But it is the community's greatest asset guarding health, life and property. Any questions concerning your water bill should be directed to City Hall between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 791-1880. Emergencies occurring after hours and on week-ends should be reported to the West Columbia Police Department at 794-0721. |
| MAIL PAYMENTS TO |
| City of West Columbia Water Collection Division PO Box 4044 West Columbia, SC 29171-4044 |
You may also pay your bill at the Customer Service Counter located in City Hall, 200 North 12th Street, West Columbia. For your convenience, a drop box is located at the drive-up window where payments may be placed after hours. |
| PAY ONLINE |
| Click HERE to pay online. |
You may apply for Water and Sewer services at City Hall, 200 North 12th Street, West Columbia. You must provide your Social Security number and the following documents when applying for these services.
- Homeowners must provide proof of ownership.
- Tenants must provide a copy of their lease agreement.
