Commission Votes to Raise Water Rates But No Fee

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission agreed last night to raise water rates for the utility’s 1.8 million customers by 8 percent in July. The six commissioners agreed to the increased rate, which will translate to an increase of about $11 in the average customer’s quarterly bill, but decided against adopting an additional fee that the utility’s managers had recommended to fund replacement of aging pipes. Feb 29, 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 02/29/2008

Water Quality Association

http://www.wqa.org/

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 03/11/2008

AP Probe Finds Drugs in Drinking Water

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...

A vast array of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones, have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows. Video after brief ad Mar 10, 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 03/10/2008

Drugs Found in Watersheds of 28 Areas

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...

At least one pharmaceutical or byproduct was detected in testing within the watersheds of 28 major metropolitan areas, according to an Associated Press survey of 62 major water providers and data obtained from independent researchers. March 10, 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 03/10/2008

The Drugs in the Area’s Water Listed

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...

Tests revealed that some of the Washington area’s drinking water contained trace amounts of these drugs: Caffeine: a stimulant found in food and drinks. Carbamazepine: an anti-convulsive to reduce epileptic seizures and a mood stabilizer for treating bipolar disorders. Ibuprofen: an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Monensin: an antibiotic administered to cattle. Naproxen: an anti-inflammatory drug commonly found in Aleve. Sulfamethoxazole: an antibiotic that can be use…

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 03/10/2008

Area Tap Water Has Traces of Medicines

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...

The Washington area’s drinking water contains trace amounts of six commonly used drugs that typically turn up in wastewater and cannot be filtered out by most treatment systems. Mar 10, 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 03/10/2008

Water Quality Data Washington Baltimore, DC MD VA WV

http://www.uc.edu/gissa/projects/drinkingw...

Drinking Water Quality study by University of Cincinnati March 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 03/10/2008

WSSC votes to hike rates - Not So Much

http://www.thesentinel.com/291145034954840...

After two meetings, five proposed budgets and three deadlocked votes, Prince George’s and Montgomery County commissioners finally reached a majority decision, voting 4-2 Feb. 27 on a version of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Fiscal Year 2009 Budget that would reduce the proposed monthly rate increase from 9.5 percent to 8 percent and cut out the $20 monthly fee completely. March 4, 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 03/05/2008

Homeowners face new fees under water utility plan

http://www.examiner.com/a-1242155~Homeowne...

In its first year, the Prince George’s proposal would tax residents of both counties 3.76 cents per $100 in assessed property value, which would result in the owner of a $250,000 house paying $94 and the owner of a $1 million home paying $376. Water commissioners are to meet Wednesday to decide on a rate plan.

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 02/27/2008

Some say ability to pay, should govern water surcharges

http://www.examiner.com/a-1233093~Some_say...

WSSC board members must submit a finalized rate increase plan and surcharge decision to both county councils by March 1. Some Prince George’s county residents say charges for water system improvements should be based on a person’s ability to pay rather than simply their use of water. Feb 21, 2008

Filed under local news, WSSC by GaroldStone Added 02/22/2008

Kettering residents against WSSC rate increases

http://www.gazette.net/stories/021408/lanh...

Several Kettering residents say they do not want the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission to raise its rates for infrastructure improvements despite a water main break in November on Herrington Drive. Feb 14, 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 02/18/2008

Town officially opposes WSSC rate increase

http://www.gazette.net/stories/021408/uppe...

The Upper Marlboro board of town commissioners took a formal stand against a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s proposed rate increase for water utilities at a Feb. 12 town hall meeting. Feb 14, 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 02/18/2008

Residents flood WSSC budget meeting with protest

http://www.thesentinel.com/290984131485014...

With a 9.5 percent rate increase and an additional $20 monthly fee at stake, the Feb. 6 Prince George’s County Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Budget Meeting was standing room only for residents and many crowded outside the door including County Councilwoman Ingrid Turner (D-Dist. 4). ~Feb 6, 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 02/18/2008

WSSC [says] water is affordable; let’s keep it that way

http://www.gazette.net/stories/020608/mont...

We understand that charging more for the services we provide could be difficult for some of our customers but we must address the aging water and sewer systems that are failing at increasing rates. In 2007, WSSC customers had to suffer through more than 2,100 water main breaks and leaks, the most in our history in a calendar year. And they are not alone. Feb 7, 2008

Filed under WSSC by GaroldStone Added 02/07/2008

Summary of new WSSC Rate & Fees

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...

Utility managers have proposed new rates and fees that would increase the average quarterly water bill for customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties by 50 percent, from $150 to $225, arguing that they must pay more or face the disintegration of an aging network of water and sewer pipes. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission would increase rates by 9.5 percent for its 1.8 million customers starting in July. Residents would also pay a new $20-a-month fee devoted to sp…

Filed under local news, regional news, WSSC by GaroldStone Added 01/21/2008

Fitch Rates WSSC

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/go...

After holding water and sewer consumption charges constant from 1999-2004, WSSC has boosted rates each year since, with minimal increases at or close to 3.0% for fiscal years 2005-2007. The proposed fiscal 2009 budget includes a more sizeable 9.5% rate increase needed to meet rising energy and operational costs. as well as greater pay-as-you-go funding for capital. The 2009 proposed budget also includes the institutionalization of a 10-year monthly infrastructure renewal fee of $20 that w…

Filed under local news, WSSC by GaroldStone Added 01/18/2008

WSSC cost of water may soar for residents

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?...

The average Prince George’s household could see its water-and-sewer bill jump from $150 to $225 starting July 1 under the budget proposed this week by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

Filed under local news, ~update link, WSSC by GaroldStone Added 01/17/2008

Region’s Utility Bills...d to Rise 9.5% $20 a Month

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=25&s...

In Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, the proposed 9.5 percent increase in July would be on top of the $20 a month fee, raising quarterly bills for customers from $150 to $225.

Filed under local news, WSSC by GaroldStone Added 01/15/2008

PG County Council Considers WSSC 3% Rate Increase

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...

Montgomery and Prince George’s counties are considering a request for a 3 percent rate increase for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, which provides water and sewer service to 1.6 million customers in the two counties.

Filed under local news, WSSC by GaroldStone Added 01/15/2008