Montgomery and Prince George’s county residents may see their water bills increase as much as 9.2 percent — nearly $6 a month for the average ratepayer — starting July 1. Members of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, the water and sewer agency for the two counties, told a Montgomery County Council committee Monday it needs to increase rates by at least 9.2 percent to maintain its pipes and keep the agency’s debt under control.
If the WSSC increases rates by that amount, the agency estimates it would close an expected $46.2 million budget gap. The vast majority of that — $26.8 million — would help offset WSSC’s debt.
The Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee has recommended increasing rates a slightly lower 8.5 percent, which would add about $5.50 to the average resident’s $68.44 monthly bill.
If rates increase at the level recommended by either the council or the WSSC, fiscal 2013 would be the fifth straight year rates have been increased at least 8 percent.
Council members struggled with the idea of increasing residents’ water bills at a time when money is tight.
“We have asked ratepayers to make a considerable contribution every year, and under either scenario we’re looking at somewhere between $5 and $6,” said Councilwoman Nancy Floreen, D-at large. “These are not inconsiderable costs to the average ratepayer.”
But as infrastructure ages and pipes need to be replaced, WSSC’s debt grows as well, said WSSC General Manager Jerry Johnson.
“The bottom line is when someone has a sewage backup … it has to be fixed,” WSSC Chairman Roscoe Moore told The Washington Examiner.
In addition to infrastructure, though, 10.6 percent of WSSC’s request amounts to salary increases. According to Johnson, the increase includes a 2 percent raise for unionized employees, which is stipulated in WSSC’s contract with the union. About 450 of WSSC’s 1,600 employees are unionized.
The council committee’s recommendation reduces the salary increase by about half.
“All of our employees have suffered,” said Councilman Roger Berliner, D-Bethesda and committee chairman. “I don’t think [WSSC employees] should be treated more fairly than our county employees have been treated.”
The Prince George’s County Council committee on Transportation, Housing and the Environment is scheduled to propose spending limits for WSSC on Thursday. The council usually recommends a lower rate than its Montgomery County counterpart, Johnson said. The Montgomery County Council is scheduled to make its official recommendation next week.
Ultimately, the new rate must be agreed upon by both Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, and the rate won’t be finalized until the spring.
