Baltimore Seeks Water and Sewer Rate Increase

The Baltimore Department of Public Works has requested a hearing with the city spending board to increase water and sewer rates 15 percent.

The hearing is requested for the Board of Estimates 9 a.m. meeting Wednesday at City Hall, 100 N. Holiday St.

If the boost in rates is eventually approved by the City Council it would raise the average customer’s bill by $94.50, according to a news release.

The agency claims the increase is needed to offset unfunded mandates that require improvements to city infrastructure, as well as to improve a much maligned billing system. Issues with the current billing system came to light last year when residents started to receive bills they said were artificially high, and in some cases had liens placed on their property because of unpaid bills.

If the rate increase is approved it will be the fifth year in a row the city has enacted a rate increase—9 percent the past two years—and rate increase are expected each year through at least 2016.