A political standoff that ended in another hefty water rate increase for Montgomery and Prince George’s county residents but no long-term plan to repair the “decaying” system will cost residents much more in the years to come, the outgoing leader of the utility said.
Andy Brunhart, whose last day as general manager of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission was Thursday, said the commissioners’ decision to avoid a monthly fee conveyed the message that “decaying infrastructure is acceptable to the governing body” of the WSSC.
“This is what the governing body’s actions will communicate regardless of words of rationalization, regardless of words that attempt to delay the process, regardless of maneuvering, regardless of words that seek to put off a decision until later … to next year … or to the next year … or to the year after that,” Brunhart said.
Washington Suburban Sanitary commissioners approved an 8 percent increase in water rates this week, compared to last year’s 6.5 percent increase, that will translate to a roughly $44 annual increase for residents of both counties.
They did not agree on any infrastructure renewal fee that would have been designated for pipe replacement efforts, although commissioners from both counties had approved the concept in December. All three Prince George’s commissioners opposed the idea during votes this week, saying the fee, which in various plans ranged from $12 to $20 a month, would disproportionately harm seniors and lower-income families.
In a previous day of voting, water representatives were deadlocked, with votes splitting 3-3 along county lines.
Prince George’s WSSC Commissioner Prem Agarwal, who eventually broke a deadlock by voting with Montgomery representatives for the approved budget, said the different demographics of the counties make compromise a challenge.
Officials from both counties expressed frustration with the process and the obvious difference in priorities between their representatives.
“Obviously we had differences, but it is what it is now, and we’ll continue to work on the process,” said Patrick Lacefield, spokesman for Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett.
Getting soaked
In 2007, The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, which serves Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, serviced 2,129 water main breaks and leaks. That’s the highest number of any year. An aging system seems to be to blame.
The system includes more than 5,500 miles of mains.
1,300 are more than 50 years old
2,400 miles of pipes are between 25 and 50 years old
