Power Outages and Restoration Process

Columbia Water & Light's top priority is to provide reliable electric service. Unfortunately there are times when high winds, ice, squirrels, birds, etc., can cause interruptions with our electric system. When problems occur, Columbia Water & Light makes every effort to restore your power as soon as possible.

What should I do when my power goes out?

Call 573-875-2555. Columbia Water & Light encourages you to call our 24-hour emergency number during an outage so we can quickly locate where the problem is occurring and send crews out right away. Any detailed information you can supply to the utility about the outage is very beneficial in the trouble shooting process.

When I report an outage, why is it important for my correct phone number to be on file?

Columbia Water & Light uses an automatic phone answering system to efficiently handle power outage reports. If your correct phone number is on file with the Utility Customer Service office, your phone call can be handled more efficiently. Having the correct contact information also allows us to make any follow-up calls to you about electric service problems.

Please fill out the Account Update online form or phone 573-874-7380 if your phone number has changed since you signed up for your utility service. You can have more than one phone number associated with your account.

How long will it take to restore my power?

Columbia Water & Light sends crews out as soon as possible to fix electric system problems. The time of the repair depends on the problem. Many times it is as easy as replacing a fuse, other times an entire line must be replaced. Crews will continue working on a problem until it is resolved.

Who gets their power restored first?

During times of multiple power outages in Columbia, repairs to main distribution line feeders are repaired before feeder lines to individual customers. By prioritizing restoration efforts, the utility can restore power to a greater number of people first. Some customers, like hospitals, are also at the top of the restoration priority list due to the critical nature of their business.

Why is my neighbor's electricity on but mine is off?

Some neighborhoods get electricity from several different circuits, so you may notice your lights are out, but your neighbors have power. In such cases, the problem could be originating from your house's electric line or at the substation. For us to determine where the problem originates, it’s extremely important that you call 573-875-2555 and report the outage with your exact street address and correct phone number.

Why do my lights 'blink' from time to time?

Brief interruptions in your electric service can sometimes be caused by tree branches hitting overhead power lines. Please fill out our tree trimming form, e-mail us or call 573-874-6205 to report a tree you think might be causing problems.

Power interruptions can also be caused by problems with the electric distribution system. These problems are usually caught by Columbia Water & Light's constant monitoring systems and repaired as soon as possible.

Faulty or overloaded wiring inside your home can also cause 'blinks' in your lights. Please contact an electrician to help fix the problem.

What should I do if I have medical equipment that requires electricity?

Columbia Water & Light makes every effort to deliver reliable electricity to our customers. Sometimes there are situations beyond our control that cause outages. Usually outages only last a short amount of time but you should be prepared with back-up plans.

 

Customers with medical equipment are spread all over the city so it is impossible for us to promise all these customers are restored first. Instead, medical centers are put at the top of the restoration priority list. Familiarize yourself with how long your battery back-up system will last. Then speak to your health care provider about the availability of electric power at local clinics and hospitals in case the outage is lengthy.