Statement from City Council President Nick J. Mosby on inspectors general water system report

BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, Dec. 21, 2020) — City Council President Nick J. Mosby issued the following statement on the water system report by the inspectors general for Baltimore City and Baltimore County:

“Like residents throughout Baltimore, I am exasperated by the findings that appear to show the city’s water system continues to be rife with problems, even after massive investment paid for by the consecutive rate increases thrust on our city water customers. We must eradicate these persistent and pervasive problems using data, research and analysis to develop good policy solutions.

“As president of Baltimore’s legislative body and as an engineer, I will lead the Council in solving these problems. The Council will use legislative oversight to force accountability in billing and drive the responsible investment of our finite tax dollars. We will also closely monitor the implementation of previous legislation to ensure affordability.

“My commitment to this issue is steadfast, as I previously worked to pass legislation that ended the city’s practice of taking people’s homes over water bill debt at the state level. Problems have solutions. We are not resigned to a dysfunctional water billing system in Baltimore. People are right to be frustrated over the failed promises of the past that the city would have a water system that billed them accurately and charged everyone — including Baltimore County residents and big business — their fair share.”