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
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
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
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
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
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 speeding the replacement of the system's 10,800 miles of underground water and sewer pipes. Jan 19, 2008
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 will be dedicated to pay-as-you-go funding for water and sewer main replacement, which will require the approval of the district's commission within the next couple of months. Jan 18, 2008
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.
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.
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