Baltimore, MD — Yesterday evening, the Baltimore City Oversight Committee for the Office of Water Advocacy and Customer Appeals (WACA) held a hearing discussing the city’s water billing dispute process and the Water4All program — a program meant to make water affordable and accessible for renters and homeowners. 

The hearing comes as water rates for Baltimore City residents are set to increase by 9 percent on July 1 — the third increase in 18 months. Water rates increased 19 percent last year alone.

Food & Water Watch and members of the Baltimore Right to Water Coalition have provided recommendations to the WACA Oversight Committee, including: 

• Hire six additional customer advocates to fully staff WACA;
• Determine how best to streamline the adjustment process and keep the WACA office independent; 
• Support the development of the required water debt forgiveness program for households enrolled in Water4All; and
• Ensure that the Department of Public Works finalizes its automatic enrollment plans for Water4All enrollees.

In response to the hearing, Food & Water Watch Public Water for All Campaign Director Mary Grant issued the following statement: 

“Water4All launched in 2022 to help address Baltimore’s water affordability crisis, and while the program has helped thousands of families, this program must reach more people as water rates are set to increase again this summer.

“As the city works on its annual budget, Mayor Scott and the City Council have the opportunity to hire more customer advocates and expand access to the water affordability program for thousands of families in Baltimore. No one should struggle to afford their most basic resources, and augmentation of the WACA Office and Water4All program will make tangible improvements in people’s lives and move the city toward achieving water justice.”

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