WSSC Water Commissioners to Hold Special Virtual Meeting to Review and Discuss Rate-Setting Process on Tuesday November 28

Laurel, Md. – November 27, 2023 – WSSC Water Commissioners are convening a special virtual meeting on Tuesday, November 28 to review and discuss the rate-setting process. The virtual meeting, which starts at 2 p.m., is part of a comprehensive process to determine if changes will be made to the utility’s current rate structure, which went into effect on July 1, 2019. The virtual meeting is open to the public via livestream directly from WSSC Water’s website.  

A rate structure is how customers are charged for water/sewer. WSSC Water’s rate structure consists of the volumetric rate structure, a four-tier inclining block structure, and the ready to serve charges, the account maintenance and infrastructure investment fees.  

The rate-setting process is a multi-step process that will: 1. Identify financial and policy considerations; 2. Identify revenue requirements and demand projections; 3. Allocate costs; 4. Design rate structure; and 5. Assess effectiveness in addressing policy considerations. The policy considerations that will be examined include: Affordability; Conservation/Demand Management; Cost of Service Based Rates; Ease of Implementation; Easy to Understand and Update; Minimize Customer Impacts; Rate Stability; and Revenue Stability.  

Customers will have the opportunity to watch/listen and provide comments. 

Public Viewing / Participation Details        
Meeting start time: 2 p.m. 
Watch: Meeting broadcast link       
Call-in number to listen and provide comment: 240-800-7929        
Conference ID: 701 823 002# 

Please note the following:     

• The meeting link is not active until the meeting starts.       
• If stakeholders only want to watch the meeting, the call-in number is unnecessary.        
• Public Comment begins following the presentation. Those wishing to speak should call at the beginning of the Public 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, in person and virtually, will have three minutes to speak.     

The special meeting is one of several to determine if a new rate structure will be implemented. Public outreach will be an important part of the rate-setting process. Those unable to watch the meeting can provide comments to: BudgetGroup@wsscwater.com. The next virtual special meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 15, 2023, at 12 noon.