Proposed Water Rate Hike In Bel Air Prompts Hearing

BEL AIR, MD — A water company that serves some Bel Air residents is proposing a rate increase. It would result in a 30 percent hike in water bills for some residents in Bel Air and Joppa.

Maryland Water Service Inc. wants to raise revenue to cover the cost of providing water and sewer service and to consolidate its rates into a uniform rate schedule across all water systems, the company said in a statement to the Maryland Public Service Commission.

"The company does recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant economic hardships for our customers," said Bryce Mendenhall, the president of CORIX, the parent company of Maryland Water Service.

"However, under present rates, the company is unable to meet its operating costs and earn a reasonable return on its investments," Mendenhall said at a virtual public hearing on the matter in January. "To continue to provide these essential services, the company must have rates that allow it to provide safe, adequate and reliable services."

Maryland Water Service is asking the state to allow it to increase its base rates by $1.99 million, representing a 108.7 percent increase in water revenue and an 87.87 percent increase in sewer revenue, officials said.

"None of my neighbors seem to be aware of the potential increase," Cassandra Bryant of the Green Ridge community said at a hearing on the proposed rate hike.

The first hearing was Jan. 27. Another will take place Tuesday, Feb. 8.

The service area for Maryland Water Service is outside the town limits; residents in the municipality of Bel Air get water from American Water, a different company.

Maryland Water Service has more than 3,500 water customers and provides sewage disposal for over 1,000 customers.

It operates these water service systems, where it proposes the following rate increases:

• Green Ridge Water System in Bel Air: 30 percent increase proposed
• Lakeside Vista Water System in Joppa: 30 percent increase proposed
• Provinces Water System in Severn; 255 percent increase proposed
• Pinto Water and Wastewater Systems and Highland Estates Water System in Cumberland; 68 percent increase proposed

Another hearing is scheduled for this week, when people can weigh in on the proposed rate hike.

Public Utility Law Judge Kristin Case Lawrence will preside over a hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

It will be virtual and follow the format of the first hearing that Lawrence oversaw in January: Maryland Water Service will present information about the case, followed by brief statements from the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel and the staff of the Public Service Commission of Maryland. Then members of the public can offer their comments.

The hearing will be viewable on the Public Utility Law Judge Division’s YouTube channel.

Want To Say Something About The Proposed Water Increase?

To speak at the hearing, people should email psc.pulj@gmail.com by noon on Monday, Feb. 7, and they will receive a WebEx invite.

Comments will be accepted until Feb. 25 electronically or by first-class mail.

• Electronically, go to the Public Service Commission’s website and follow instructions for registration, then send comments through Dropbox. Comments must include a reference to Case No. 9671.
• By first-class mail, send comments to Andrew S. Johnston, Executive Secretary, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

The Maryland Public Service Commission, which is coordinating the hearing, regulates electric and gas utilities and suppliers.