Definitions.
Columbus City Codes § 1105.01
in effect1105.01 - Definitions.
"Available frontage" shall mean the frontage for all parcels which abut on the water main. On corner parcels the frontage shall be the shortest frontage which abuts on a street right-of-way. Parcels which already abut on a water main shall not be considered as part of the available frontage.
"Commodity charge" shall mean a water use charge that varies in amount with the level of water the customer actually uses. This charge recovers the operating and maintenance costs associated with treating water to drinking water standards, providing the distribution network to provide water to customers, and recovers the cost of system capital improvements.
"Consecutive" shall mean the purchase of bulk water that is distributed to principally residential consumers including but not limited to apartment and condominium complexes, planned unit developments, and manufactured homes.
"Contract areas" means areas served with water by the city where a contract exists between the city and a political subdivision.
"Corner parcel" shall be a lot or parcel abutting on two (2) or more intersecting streets.
"Eligible senior customers" means any customer who:
(1) Is receiving service by means of a single meter to a single-family residence;
(2) Is personally responsible for payment of the bill as head of household; and
(3) Is sixty (60) years of age or older having a total income of less than two hundred (200) percent of the poverty level as published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census.
"Front foot" shall mean the frontage that abuts on the street right-of-way. However, if a small section of a large property abuts the right-of-way, the front footage shall be the width of the larger more representative section of the property. When the property to be served does not abut upon a street right-of-way, front foot shall mean the width of the parcel.
"Noncontract areas" means areas outside the city served with water by the city where no contract exists with a political subdivision.
"Service connection" means the connection of all or any part of the service line to the tap.
"Service charge" shall mean a fixed charge to recover the costs incurred to provide service whether or not any consumption is used. These costs may include meter repair and replacement expenses, meter reading expenses, the costs of producing and mailing utility bills, applying payment as it is received, providing customer support and service, and other related water system costs.
"Service line" means the line extending from the tap onto the premises to be served and shall include all the necessary pipes, lines and appurtenances from the tap to and including the meter.
"Tap" means the connection to the water main and the necessary pipes or lines extending from the water main to and including the curb stop or valve and box.
"Total income" means the adjusted gross income of the applicant and spouse for the year preceding the year on which application for the senior consumer water rate is made, as determined under the "Internal Revenue Code of 1954," 26 U.S.C. 1, as amended, plus income from the following sources not included in the federal adjusted gross income: old age and survivors benefits received pursuant to the Social Security Act, retirements, pensions, annuities, payments received pursuant to the "Railroad Retirement Act," 45 U.S.C.231 et seq.; and interest on federal, state and local government obligations. Disability benefits paid by the Veterans' Administration or a branch of the armed forces of the United States on account of an injury or disability shall not be included in total income.
"Water service outside city" means water service furnished to consumers in contract areas or water service authorized by the Director of Columbus Water & Power for consumers in noncontract areas.
(Ord. 478-92; Ord. 728-99 § 1 (part); Ord. 1804-03 § 1; Ord. 422-06 § 2 (part); Ord. 1132-2008 Attach. (part); Ord. No. 0139-2011, § 1, 3-7-2011; Ord. No. 2398-2012, § 4, 12-3-2012; Ord. No. 2635-2015, §§ 1, 6, 12-7-2015, eff. 2-1-2016; Ord. No. 0329-2019, § 1, 2-11-2019; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021; Ord. No. 2836-2024, § 1, 11-25-2024; Ord. No. 1882-2026, § 1, 6-29-2026)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT11WASEELCO_CH1105WARACH_1105.01DEFetched: 10/27/2026