WSSC Water Holding Monthly Commission Meeting on Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Laurel, Md. – February 15, 2022 – WSSC Water Commissioners are holding their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 16, beginning at 10 a.m. The virtual meeting is open to the public via livestream from WSSC Water’s website.

Commissioners are scheduled to vote on several major contracts to upgrade and improve aging water and sewer infrastructure, including a $10.4 million contract to upgrade filters at WSSC Water’s Piscataway Water Resource Recovery Facility in Prince George’s County. The contract includes a 23 percent Minority Business Enterprise and Small Business Enterprise (MBE/SLBE) subcontracting requirement. Commissioners also are scheduled to vote on a $5.2 million contract to replace several large diameter water mains under Veirs Mill Road in Montgomery County. This contract includes a 25 percent MBE/SLBE subcontracting requirement.

Additionally, Commissioners are scheduled to vote to transmit WSSC Water’s $1.48 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Proposed Budget, which is $76 million less than the FY 2022 approved budget, to both counties. In response to COVID-19’s devastating financial impact, WSSC Water cut nearly $134 million from the proposed budget, including more than $110 million in capital projects – impacting water and sewer work in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

The FY 2023 Proposed Budget is based on a seven percent average rate increase. A typical customer with a family of three, using 55 gallons of water per person per day, would see a quarterly increase of $16.92 in their bill.

The monthly meeting includes a briefing on plans to add a Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise Program to WSSC Water’s existing MBE/SLBE programs. The program will be similar to one offered by the State of Maryland.

The Commission meeting includes a call-in option to ensure interested stakeholders can provide input. Those wishing to speak should call in at the beginning of the Comments section, which begins shortly after 10 a.m. Callers will be admitted from the “lobby” when public comments start.

Public Viewing / Participation Details
Watch: Virtual meeting broadcast link
Call-in number to provide comment: 240-800-7929
Conference ID: 306 934 407#

Please note the following:

• The virtual meeting link is not active until the meeting starts.
• If stakeholders only want to watch the meeting, the call-in number is unnecessary.
• Those wishing to speak should call at the beginning of the Comments section and will be admitted from the “lobby” when public comments start.
• When calling to speak, turn down your computer’s volume to avoid audio issues.
• Members of the public will have three minutes to speak.

As part of WSSC Water’s commitment to public engagement and transparency, the live broadcast of this meeting allows viewers to observe agency business, including the review of contracts and policies and a monthly synopsis of WSSC Water’s operations. The complete agenda is on WSSC Water’s website.