Pocomoke Council Hears Maryland American Water Offer to Assess Local Water Systems, Cites Potential Multi‑Million Investment
Loading...
Summary
Maryland American Water told the Pocomoke City council it can provide engineering assessments, multi‑year capital plans and potentially an asset purchase worth “multiple millions,” while emphasizing rate regulation by the Maryland Public Service Commission and programs to limit rate shock.
Maryland American Water representatives outlined an exploratory partnership with Pocomoke City on Monday, saying the company could perform engineering assessments of the city’s water and wastewater systems, propose a multi‑year capital plan and — if the city pursued an asset sale — participate in an RFP and asset purchase agreement process.
"My name is Rachel Lancaster. I'm our Director of Business Development," Rachel Lancaster said, introducing the company and describing it as "the largest water and wastewater provider in the country." JR Fiddler, who described local operations experience in Cape Charles, said the company focuses on maintenance, safety and capital investment.
Company representatives said initial public details on purchase price are limited by procurement rules in Maryland but estimated, from publicly available information, that an up‑front payment could be "multiple millions of dollars." They also pointed to recurring local economic benefits, citing an example that Maryland American Water pays about $610,000 a year in taxes to Bel Air.
Council members framed the conversation as exploratory rather than a request to sell. Mayor Todd Knox said the city is not currently interested in immediately selling its wastewater assets but would welcome an analysis of system condition. "We do want to know how we can improve our systems," the mayor said, asking the company to assess where upgrades are needed.
On questions about customer rates, Rachel Lancaster said the company must obtain Maryland Public Service Commission approval for rate changes and that the firm would conduct a rate study and present comparisons before any formal decision. "Affordability is a focus for us," she said, adding the company has programs to stabilize or phase in rate changes.
Company speakers also addressed staffing and operations: they said they typically seek to hire existing local operators to preserve institutional knowledge and offer expanded benefits and resources. JR Fiddler described the company's safety culture: "We want employees to go home the same way they came to work."
Council members asked for detail and tours; Maryland American Water offered plant tours and said it would return with more detailed financials and a formal bid if the city chose to pursue an RFP. No formal action or vote on a sale or procurement was taken; the council signaled interest in continuing the conversation and having the company perform further assessments.
