Water Bill Increases Won't Affect County Residents

Water service for county residents will not likely cost more despite a proposal by Baltimore City to raise rates by 15 percent.

At least not this year.

The increase proposed by city Department of Public Works would increase water bills by nearly $24 per quarter for the typical city water customers.

The system supplies water to 1.8 million residents in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard Counties.

Baltimore County absorbs some costs of the system through a complex agreement with the city. Other costs are paid for through the Metropolitan District Fund that is assessed as a line item on county property tax bills.

"Given [the agreement] and the metropolitan fund balance, there was no need to pass this increase on to our residents," said Ellen Kobler, a county spokeswoman.

County residents could pay more if actual water usage exceeds projected water usage that is offset by the fund.

The city has also asked for an 11 percent increase in July 2014 and July 2015.

Decisions on whether either of those increases will be passed on to county residents will be made annually.

The city last raised its water rates in 2012.

Decisions about whether those increases would be passed along have not been made.

The Baltimore City Board of Estimates is expected to vote on the proposed increases on Wednesday.