Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for customers in the Columbia area, including Palmetto and Alpine/Woodland residents.
Customer Care
Customer Care representatives are trained to assist you with a range of subjects, including account and billing inquiries, service order requests, or questions about your rates.
We strive to respond to email and phone inquiries in a prompt manner. A prepared customer is time’s best ally. Simply follow the tips below to help speed up the process.
Tip #1: Be prepared and have the following information ready when calling or e-mailing us:
- Account name
- Account number
- Verification ID (PIN)
- Service address
- Description of the issue
Tip #2: Avoid calling when call volume is high between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Customer Care is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern time, and call volume is usually the heaviest on Mondays and at the beginning and end of the month. You may experience a shorter hold time or faster service by calling outside these times.
For even faster service, email SCMidlandsCustomerCare@swwc.com.
By E-mail: SCMidlandsCustomerCare@swwc.com
By Phone: 803-699-2422 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
By Fax: 803-699-6925
By Mail:
South Carolina Water Utilities, Inc.
1713 Woodcreek Farms Rd
Elgin, SC 29045
Rates and Fees
A charge of $20.00 or $30.00 is used to defray cost of initiating service.
A fee of $25.00 will be charged each customer to whom the Utility mails the notice as required by Commission Rule R.103-535.1 prior to service being disconnected. This fee assesses a portion of the clerical and mailing costs of such notices to the customers creating that cost.
As a regulated company, we are required to charge rates that are set by the South Carolina Public Service Commission and fair to all customers. Utility rates are calculated based on the cost of operating and maintaining the water and wastewater systems, supplies and materials, as well as capital expenditures for infrastructure, such as pipelines, treatment facilities, pumping stations, storage tanks, equipment and buildings. Daily operating costs include but are not limited to; chemicals; laboratory testing; electricity; fuel; and the salaries of technicians, field operators, administrative personnel and others who help run the water utility.
Our rates are regulated by the South Carolina Public Service Commission. A 1.5% late fee is charged automatically if your payment is not received prior to your next billing cycle.
