BALTIMORE, MD—The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force this week announced a series of public meetings where officials will discuss efforts to address the region’s pressing water-related challenges and foster sustainable solutions to help ensure residents efficiently, equitably, and sustainably receive high-quality water and sewerage services.
The full schedule of task force meetings is available below:
Date: Wednesday, September 13
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Randallstown Community Center: 3505 Resource Dr, Randallstown, MD 21133
Livestream will be available here
Date: Wednesday, October 4
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, 201 Reedbird Ave, Baltimore, MD 21225
Date: Wednesday, October 18
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: CCBC Essex, Robert and Eleanor Romadka College Center, Upper-level Lobby, 7201 Rossville Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21237
Date: Wednesday, November 1
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries, 6000 Radecke Ave, Baltimore, MD 21206
Date: Thursday, November 16
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual. Additional details forthcoming.
Date: Thursday, January 25, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual. Additional details forthcoming.
All meetings will also be livestreamed on Baltimore County Government’s YouTube page.
Currently, residents of both Baltimore City and Baltimore County jurisdictions are served by water and wastewater systems managed by the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. Under an agreement that dates back to 1972, Baltimore City bills all customers for water use. According to the agreement that governs the shared sewer system, each jurisdiction bills its own residents for sewer charges and other related charges.
The regional drinking water and wastewater systems, owned and operated primarily by Baltimore City, now serve as many as 1.8 million residents across Baltimore City, Baltimore County and other surrounding jurisdictions. However, under existing State law, Baltimore City bears the sole responsibility for the water supply and wastewater operations, maintenance, and capital investments, while Baltimore County is the sole surrounding jurisdiction paying a proportionate share of these costs.
Created by an act of the General Assembly this past session, the task force is charged with making recommendations to modernize the governance of the region’s water and wastewater utilities — that currently operate under half-century old agreements.
The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force will submit their final recommendations to the Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, the Mayor of Baltimore City and the County Executive of Baltimore County by January 2024.
Photo via Pixabay
