City Seeks 9% Water and Sewer Rate Hike

The Baltimore Department of Public Works is seeking a 9 percent increase in water and sewer rates, which would raise that bill for a family of four by an estimated $97 annually.

A rate increase is needed to help pay for federal and state mandated infrastructure work, as well as replace the city’s current metering and billing system, according to a news release.

The department has requested the Board of Estimates hold a public hearing on requested rate increase on June 27.

If the rate hike is approved, it would be the fourth year in a row the city has increased sewer and water rates, and the second straight year with a 9 percent increase.

The proposed increased shouldn’t . City officials said last year that they anticipate raising the rates 9 percent a year through fiscal year 2016.

There are about 400,000 city water meters in the region, which includes customers in Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties.

Earlier this year, the city became embroiled in controversy after reported that it had been sending erroneous water bills to customers.

Eventually Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake agreed to a moratorium on tax sales of homes because of back water bills, so that the city could make certain homes weren’t being sold because of incorrect water bills.

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