City Council, Under Council President Scott’s Leadership, Prepares Water Accountability & Equity Act for Final Passage

City Council, Under Council President Scott’s Leadership, Prepares Water Accountability & Equity Act for Final Passage

Legislation Keeping Water Bills Affordable and Transparent to Head to Mayor’s Desk for Signature

BALTIMORE, MD (November 18, 2019) — On Monday, November 18 at 4:30pm outside of the “Du” Burns Council Chambers at City Hall, Council President Brandon M. Scott will hold a press conference with councilmembers and advocates to celebrate the final passage of a bill that will overhaul Baltimore’s outdated and inconsistent water billing system. 

The Water Accountability and Equity Act (18-0307), which has been in the works for two years, ensures the cost of water is affordable for all Baltimore City residents by creating an income-based water billing system. Philadelphia passed similar legislation in 2017. 

This evening, the City Council will take a final vote to pass this legislation and send it to the Mayor’s desk for a signature. The bill was deliberated from May to September of this year in the Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, chaired by City Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton. 

“I’m proud of the City Council and Baltimore’s water justice advocates for their hard work on the Water Accountability and Equity Act. This legislation brings needed transparency and stronger accountability mechanisms to the Department of Public Works, while also protecting our most vulnerable residents,” said Council President Scott. “Now, the Council and I will hold DPW accountable through legislative oversight and fight to make sure water rates are fair for all of our residents, regardless of income or neighborhood.”

The Council President added, “Water billing issues are some of the top concerns the City Council hears about. The development and passage of this bill is an example of the Council listening to our constituents and addressing their concerns through legislation.”

The Water Accountability and Equity Act establishes a system of tiered credits, which ensure residents earning between 0-200% of the Federal Poverty Line receive water bills they can actually afford to pay. (Currently, the Federal Poverty Line for a family of four is $25,750 a year.)

According to analysis by the Office of the City Council President, a family of three making $9,000 a year would see their water bill capped at 1% of their annual income under the credit established in the Water Accountability and Equity Act. That same family would pay more than twice as much under existing programs offered by the Department of Public Works.

The Water Accountability and Equity Act would also increase transparency in the dispute process for erroneous water bills. The bill creates an Office of the Customer Advocate, which would address billing issues in a standardized and open dispute process, available to all customers regardless of income or experience navigating local government bureaucracy. Customers can make independent appeals at the Environmental Control Board. 

The bill requires DPW to submit semi-annual reports to the City Council on their water credit program and water billing dispute outcomes. The Council will use its legislative oversight powers to ensure the bill is properly implemented and Baltimore residents experience greater transparency in the dispute process.

Read Bill 18-0307: Water Accountability and  Equity Act here.