Columbia Water Company

Columbia Water Company Municipal Water Report Info

The Columbia Water Company provides public water service to over 10,000 customers throughout Lancaster and York Counties. Operating within a franchised territory covering Columbia, Marietta, and Mountville Boroughs plus portions of West Hempfield, Manor, East Donegal and Hellam Townships, our service area is divided into two service Divisions: Columbia Division and Marietta Division.

We are regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regarding rate setting, billing procedures, dispute resolution, terminations and service expectations. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees our water quality, treatment requirements, and technical standards. Columbia Water Company consistently meets or exceeds all water quality and permit requirements.

Columbia Water Company delivers water through a distribution system comprising approximately 110 miles of water mains, nine finished water storage tanks, six pumping stations, four wells and 11 pressure zones. Columbia Division customers receive water drawn from the Susquehanna River, which undergoes filtration and disinfection before distribution. Marietta Division customers receive water from several deep wells that is disinfected before delivery.

Incorporated in 1823, Columbia Water Company has provided public water service for over 190 years. In 1824, the first reservoir was constructed and the company began installing wooden water mains. By 1829, Columbia Water Company switched to cast iron pipes, phasing out wooden mains. Additional reservoirs were built in 1860 and 1871. The first filtration plant was constructed in 1905—one of only three in Pennsylvania at that time. Since its early years, Columbia Water Company has evolved from wooden pipes and ground reservoirs to modern filtration equipment, elevated steel storage tanks and state-of-the-art electronic control systems.