City leaders propose charter amendment to modernize Baltimore water system
Baltimore city leaders introduced a charter amendment that would separate the Bureau of Water and Wastewater from the Department of Public Works in an effort to modernize the region’s aging water infrastructure and improve oversight. Advocates say the proposal could increase transparency, strengthen regional collaboration and help address long-standing environmental and public health concerns tied to water systems. The post City leaders propose charter amendment to modernize Baltimore water system appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and members of city leadership introduced a charter amendment to modernize Baltimore’s water systems by separating the Bureau of Water and Wastewater from the larger Department of Public Works (DPW), if passed in Fall 2026.
“This isn’t something that just is needed now; it’s been needed for quite some time,” Scott told the AFRO. “We knew that we had to do a deep dive and update this system and the way it operates.”
Scott explained that the proposed amendment was a recommendation from the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Taskforce in 2024. After their recommendation, the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model Work Group was established by the Maryland General Assembly and has been meeting to “explore the possibility and viability of a regional governing authority,” according to its website.
After years of infrastructure issues and water quality impacting separate parts of the city, advocates are looking forward to the potential for increased transparency, stronger decision-making and increased equity.
“This is the best way to ensure Baltimore City ratepayers are treated the same as ratepayers outside of the City,” said City Councilmember Ryan Dorsey, in a press release. “Our water and wastewater system is required to be funded exclusively by billing revenue, but its general operations are mixed in with other operations within the agency. Separating these services from other City operations is the only way to ensure fair and equal treatment and cost sharing for all ratepayers.”
Sydnee Wilson Ruff, executive director of Blue Water Baltimore, one of the largest environmental nonprofits in the city, said the move will positively impact Baltimore.
“We’re really happy that the regional governance task force was formed, and that they’re taking steps to improve how these systems work and how they affect communities in Baltimore,” she said.
Ruff noted that the changes needed won’t happen instantly, but the proposed amendment would be a step in the right direction.
“I think the development of the regional task force in general is to promote better collaboration between different municipalities,” said Ruff. “ I think some of the major concerns that residents in Baltimore City are facing are directly linked to the relationship that we have with Baltimore County. So better coordination and communication as a result of this task force between the county and the surrounding counties will be better for city residents as far as alleviating environmental challenges, specifically around infrastructure.”
According to a press release from the city, the Bureau of Water and Wastewater, currently managed by DPW, is responsible for supplying water to 1.8 million customers in Baltimore. There are currently 15 active water main repair projects according to DPW’s website. Additionally, according to DPW, a majority of the pipes are over 80 years old.
In an interview with the AFRO, Scott explained that several other major cities, including Washington, D.C., have standalone agencies or authorities that oversee their water systems.
“It’s a best practice, and we think it will ultimately help our residents and not put a burden on them,” he said.
For Ruff and Blue Water Baltimore, residents must stay engaged with the process because of the impact that water has on quality of life and public health.
“ a city with aging infrastructure, where certain residents and certain neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by what is happening in the environment, it’s important that people are knowledgeable about what’s happening in their communities so that they can talk to the appropriate people about how to invest in what is happening and make changes in their neighborhoods,” said Ruff.
According to a press release announcing the introduction of the charter amendment, if passed this fall, the proposed charter amendment would enable the city to establish a standalone agency by the end of calendar year 2028.
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