The final Task Force recommendation is available for review.
The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force was established under state law to make recommendations to modernize the governance of the Baltimore region’s water and wastewater utilities to help ensure residents efficiently, equitably and sustainably receive high-quality services.
Currently, residents of both Baltimore City and Baltimore County jurisdictions are served by water and wastewater systems under an agreement that dates back to 1972. Today, 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.
Due to this regional population growth and the growing complexity of the utilities, City and County officials jointly-released a comprehensive review of the shared water and wastewater systems in 2021.
Duties
The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force will:
- Review the findings of two specified tasks of the Water/Sewer Services Comprehensive Business Process Review for Baltimore City and Baltimore County as finalized in July 2021, and other existing regional water and wastewater governance models.
- Assess alternative governance structures for the Baltimore region’s water and wastewater utility.
- Analyze the fiscal implications and efficiencies of each alternative governance structure, including estimated short- and long-term costs, 10-year historical costs that both jurisdictions have paid to the utility and cost. savings.
- Recommend the governance model best suited for water and wastewater systems in the Baltimore region, and the necessary legislation and funding to establish the recommended model.
- Issue a final report to the Mayor of Baltimore City, the County Executive of Baltimore County, the Governor and the General Assembly, no later than January 30, 2024.
Timeline
The Task Force is currently expected to hold four public meetings:
- September through November 2023—Public Meetings Held
- December 2023—Draft Report Issued for Public Comment Period
- January 2024—Public Comment Period Closes
- January 30, 2024—Final Report on Findings and Recommendations Issued
Reports
- Proposed revisions to the draft Task Force recommendation
- Draft Task Force recommendation
- Draft report
Meetings
All meetings will also be livestreamed on Baltimore County Government’s YouTube page.