August 9th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Maryland Water Service, the utility providing water to customers in the Bel Air and Pinto areas of Allegany County filed an application with the Maryland Public Service Commission for a rate increase of $1.6 million dollars across water systems they own in the state. Local customers say their already high bills would increase up to 40%, with some families having bills of over $500 per month.

Mark Shartiger said that several people spoke at a recent PSC hearing on the increase, including real estate agents that say even the current rates are driving buyers elsewhere…

"Whenever we sell a house we have to disclose utility cost and she said whenever I say hey your water bill will be you know $350 based on the average four-person living in the home. People say well no, I'm going to go live in Rawlings or LaVale or whatever to look for a home because this payment is more than my car payment are big chunk of what my mortgage is."

Bel Air and Pinto residents are paying some of, if not the highest, water rates in the country…

"The highest water rate in the country per city is San Francisco and the highest sewage rate in the country in any city is Seattle, Washington I believe, some place in Washington. Combined our rates in here, in this community are higher than both of them."