DPW Releases Rate Study Report

Monday Jan 14th, 2019

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

In recognition of the public interest and oversight, Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., today provided Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young with a copy of the latest water rate study report. The report, prepared by Raftelis Financial Consultants, formed the basis for the recently approved water, sewer and stormwater rate increases that will go into effect July 1 of 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The rate study is also being made available to the public on the DPW website.

This rate study report, based on a complex financial planning model, describes the factors, data, expenditures, investments, revenue and other trends which are and were utilized to calculate the utilities’ rates. DPW has rate studies routinely prepared to determine if the utility rates are capable of supporting the utilities operational and capital needs.  The rate analysis is shared with and reviewed by the City’s Director of Finance, the Comptroller’s office, and independent bond counsel. This year DPW is taking the unprecedented step of making the rate study available on the DPW website, PublicWorks.baltimorecity.gov.

The rate study shows how much money is needed for the capital improvement plan (which includes hundreds of millions of dollars for water, sewer, and stormwater projects), debt service, and ongoing operations. That need is then translated into how much more money the Department needs to take in through water bills to cover the costs.  The rate analysis employed industry-accepted methodologies such as those described in the American Water Works and Water Environment Federation manuals to perform the DPW study.

Mayor Pugh said she supports the release of the rate report. “I have seen and understand the need for these new water rates. I also understand the community interest in wanting more information, and applaud this step toward additional transparency.”

The rate study and report also factors the new Baltimore H2O Assists program into the financial forecast.  This new customer assistance program expands billing assistance to customers whose households are within 175 percent of the federal poverty level.

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