Anne Arundel DPW proposes 6% water and sewer rate increase, seeks 10% jump in connection charges

Anne Arundel County’s Department of Public Works asked the County Council on May 22 to approve a 6% increase in water and sewer usage rates and signaled a separate proposal that would raise capital facility connection charges by about 10% to shore up the utility fund and meet regulatory and capacity needs.

Department of Public Works Director Karen Henry told the council the rate and fee proposals are intended to replace expiring state grant revenue, cover higher operating and construction costs, and rebuild debt service reserves required by county policy and the charter. “We were reliant on Clean Water Commerce Act grants. We’ve received $8,000,000 that’s expiring,” Henry said, adding the user-rate increase is meant to restore required operating reserves and prepare for future capital needs.

Why it matters: the county’s water and sewer utilities operate as enterprise funds that must be self-sustaining under the County Charter. Henry said aging infrastructure, higher labor and material costs, stricter permits and…