Baltimore city leaders have introduced a proposed charter amendment that would create a standalone agency to oversee the region's water and wastewater system, separating the Bureau of Water and Wastewater from the Department of Public Works (DPW).
Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the proposal alongside City Council President Zeke Cohen and Comptroller Bill Henry. Sponsored by City Councilmembers Odette Ramos and Ryan Dorsey, the amendment would require voter approval before taking effect.
City officials said the change would provide more focused management, strengthen financial oversight, and better position the utility to address future operational and infrastructure challenges.
The Bureau of Water and Wastewater currently operates within DPW, which also includes the Bureau of Solid Waste. According to the city, the utility serves approximately 1.8 million customers across the Baltimore metropolitan region. Its fiscal year 2027 operating budget is $677 million, with a capital budget of $473 million.
Officials said an independent agency would improve transparency, strengthen regional partnerships, support more consistent revenue collection practices, and enhance the utility's financial performance. They also said the move could help lower borrowing costs and improve the utility's standing with bond rating agencies.
The proposal follows recommendations from the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Taskforce, established by state law in 2023 to evaluate governance options for the region's water and wastewater systems. In its final report, released in January 2024, the task force recommended creating a standalone city agency, citing benefits including focused leadership, streamlined management, and improved service delivery.
Supporters of the amendment said the restructuring would align Baltimore with governance models used by many other large U.S. water utilities and help ensure greater accountability for ratepayers.
If approved by voters, the amendment would put the city on a path to establish a new Department of Water and Wastewater by the end of 2028.
