The Howard County Water, under Howard’s Department of Public Works, provides water for about 247,000 residents living in the Columbia area. Established in 1838, the Howard County Water collects water from various sources. For residents living in the North Laurel area, water supply originates from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission in Laurel. For residents living anywhere else in Howard County via public water supply, water originates from Baltimore City. As a “Consecutive Water System”, Howard County purchases water from Baltimore City and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

Columbia City Drinking Water Quality

Consumer Confidence Water Quality Reports

Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA requires Howard County Bureau of Utilities to assess local water quality each year and distribute a Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report. At WaterZen, we review these reports and make the information available, in a concise, straightforward, and easy-to-understand way.

B+

Good

WaterZen Rating

Lead levels in the drinking water of some cities across the United States are too high, potentially creating public-health issues for the people living in those areas.

What about Howard County Water? How much lead is in your drinking water? And how do those levels compare to other cities in the state? We examined data from hundreds of cities across the nation to understand and grade your water quality.

As you can see, Howard County Water received an above-average grade because the amounts of contaminants found in the water supply were lower than most other water providers we've analyzed.

B+

Good

WaterZen Rating

Lead levels in the drinking water of some cities across the United States are too high, potentially creating public-health issues for the people living in those areas.

As you can see, Howard County Water received an above-average grade because the amounts of contaminants found in the water supply were lower than most other water providers we've analyzed.

Contact Howard County Bureau of Utilities Customer Service

Have a Question, Issue or Comment?

Main Customer Service

Physical Address:
8250 and 8270 Old Montgomery Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045

410-313-4900
ask@howardcountymd.gov

Emergency (24 hours - broken water main or pipeline, etc.)
410-313-2929

Pay Your Howard County Water Bill

Already have an account?

If you already have an account, you just need to login to the Howard County Water site. Howard County Water accepts credit cards, debit, and direct deposit. Click here to login.

Want to create a new account?

You can create a new account on the Howard County Water website. Once you create the account, you can setup payment with credit, debit, or direct deposit. Click here to create an account.

Want to pay without an account?

You can make a one-time payment without creating an account. You will need to have your credit or debit card in order to make the one time payment. Click here to make a one time payment.

How to Start Columbia Water Service

Starting Your Service

When you move to a new home in Columbia City, you'll most likely already have running water, but you'll still need to set up water service with the Howard County Water. Luckily, Columbia has made it pretty simple with the following online form. Starting service generally takes just two business days.

Click here to fill out a Start Service Form.

Stopping Your Service

When you move out of a home in Columbia City, you'll need to stop your water service with the Howard County Water, so you don't keep getting billed. Simply fill out the following online form. Stopping service normally takes just two business days.

Click here to fill out a Stop Service Form.

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