Baltimore's water and sewer rate increase approved by city's spending board

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Department of Public Works' (DPW) multi-year water and sewer rate increase plan was approved on Wednesday by the city's spending board.

The Board of Estimates allowed the public to comment before voting 4-0 to raise water and sewer bills over the next three years.

Baltimore residents will see a 3% rise in their monthly water bill, and a 15% sewer rate increase, beginning February 1. The increases in water and sewer rates will grow to 9% in FY26 and FY27, according to DPW. 

DPW said the water and sewer rate increase is necessary to help maintain the city's financial stability and update infrastructure and projects as its water and wastewater system ages.

Officials said the department will be launching a $1.9 billion, six-year improvement program to address some critical infrastructure needs. The plan will focus on replacing water mains, reducing sewer overflows and modernizing operations.  

"Our infrastructure has been neglected for a long long period of time and we have to take care of that infrastructure," said DPW Director Khalil Zaied. "We have to start to buckle up again and do what we have to do to stabilize the utility we have right now and build on it."  

Residents pushback

DPW held several public meetings where residents said the rate increase adds up over time.

"I say that's a little steep," Baltimore resident Darryl Mason said. "Today's jobs aren't paying a whole lot, people are struggling." 

Residents attending Wednesday's meeting made a last-ditch effort to persuade the Board of Estimates to reject the proposal.

"This rate hike would affect every Baltimore resident, including so many that are just struggling to make ends meet," said Nicole Fabricant.

Even Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen abstained from voting.

"I cannot in good conscience support raising folks water bills when there is still a significant amount of outstanding bills that have not been collected by the Department of Public Works," Cohen said.

DPW officials are still collecting outstanding balances owed for water and sewer to help address financial shortages.