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WSSC lays out FY2026 scenarios, warns of double‑digit rate increases and highlights affordability programs
Summary
WSSC officials presented three FY2026 revenue scenarios that would raise customer bills between roughly $8.53 and $10.96 per month depending on the option, and described planned investments in PFAS mitigation, meter modernization, fleet replacement and expanded customer assistance.
Munetsi Tempe Musara, WSSC’s chief financial officer, told the County Council’s Committee of the Whole that the utility is preparing a six‑year plan and presented three FY2026 revenue scenarios: a 12.2% “base” case, a 10.2% option and a 9.5% option.
"A 9.5% revenue enhancement will result in a $25.60 increase in the quarterly bill or $8.53 a month," Musara said, and provided parallel dollar impacts for the other options: $27.48 quarterly ($9.16/month) for 10.2% and $32.87 quarterly ($10.96/month) for 12.2%. She said the increases reflect inflationary pressures, higher PAYGO to lower debt service and other fixed costs necessary to maintain a $9 billion asset portfolio.
WSSC emphasized that maintaining its AAA credit rating remains a financial priority because lower borrowing costs benefit customers. Musara told the committee the FY2026 capital plan prioritizes PFAS and lead‑and‑copper compliance work, meter infrastructure upgrades and depot modernization, and that the rebaselined six‑year CIP shifts funds toward nonlinear, innovation and interjurisdictional investments.
"We plan on increasing our PayGo allocation to lower debt service costs, and we'll continue to leverage external funding and enhance the customer assistance program," Musara said, noting WSSC’s FY2025 operating and capital totals and the larger six‑year plan.
The presentation also highlighted customer affordability efforts already in place: the Promise payment plan with more than 22,000 accounts enrolled; a customer assistance program that can provide up to $500 per year; a pipe‑emergency loan of up to $10,000; and a plumbing leak repair program. Musara said WSSC recently signed an MOU (09/18/2024) with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Maryland to help deliver assistance.
Councilmembers asked detailed follow‑ups about monitoring and infrastructure: one member asked whether acoustic monitoring is on all large pipe types; Rosanna LaPlante, division manager for engineering and construction, replied that acoustic monitoring is installed on the utility’s large PCCP pipes (generally 18 inches and above) and offered to provide mileage and coverage details to council members.
The briefing will feed into the council’s spending‑affordability guidance; staff will issue recommendations in a TIEE committee report on Thursday. The presentation did not include a formal council vote; WSSC asked for guidance as it finalizes the operating and capital requests.
