What Will Happen To Your Water Bill? Water Company Officials Will Hold Hearing Tuesday

ROCKVILLE, MD -- Water utility WSSC is holding a hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Stella B. Werner Building to share information and take questions and comments about the new water rate structure. The company was ordered to develop a new rate structure in March.

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commision, or WSSC, was ordered to alter their rate structure because it was found to charge different households different rates for the same amount of water. Richard Boltuck, a retired economist, challenged the validity of the rate structure.

According to court documents, Boltuck criticized WSSC's inclining block rates as discriminatory and unreasonable to consumers because they had charged one residential household more than another "even when each person is using the same amount of water."

On September 9, 2016, the document says, "Judge Romine issued a Proposed Order, finding that the volumetric rates adopted by WSSC on June 17, 2015 unduly discriminate among classes of customers and are therefore unreasonable."

Judge Romine said that even though WSSC claimed the rate structure promoted water conservation, there was no evidence to suggest they had completed a study to confirm this. Though Romine found the rates unreasonable, she only issued an an advisory opinion.

Botluck criticized Judge Romine's "decision to issue an 'advisory opinion' merely 'encouraging' WSSC to establish reasonable rates," according to the court document. Regardless, Botluck's side was about to win a battle.

After the court's opinion, the Maryland Public Service Commission ordered WSSC to develop a new rate structure to more accurately charge customers for the water they use, rather than giving the cheapest rates to households using the least water.

The public hearing will take place in the Council Hearing Room on the seventh floor of 100 Maryland Ave., the Stella B. Werner Building, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

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