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Utilities director outlines rates, $25M fund balance and proposal for 10% water increases
Summary
At a May 7 Richland County budget work session, the utilities presenter reviewed service areas, operational challenges and finances and said the department plans 10% annual water-rate increases targeted at high‑usage accounts; questions centered on capacity and how county rates compare with the City of Columbia.
The Richland County utilities director presented an update on the water and sewer system at the council’s May 7 budget work session, saying the utility is financially solvent but faces rising project costs and equipment and workforce pressures.
Director of utilities Johnny Hussein told council members the authority serves multiple districts, buys bulk water for about 14 Murray Lane homes from the City of Columbia because a local well has dried up, and completed a service expansion in 2023 that increased customers in Lower Richland and other areas. “This slide shows our water and sewer service area,” Hussein said while outlining system boundaries and…
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