Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model Workgroup; October 27, 2026

The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model Workgroup met on October 27, 2026, to consider recommendations for the region’s water and wastewater governance. The group approved 21 consensus recommendations by an 11–0 vote, withdrew the proposal for a separate rate board, and voted 11–0 to recommend a fully consolidated utility model, with additional language intended to preserve workers’ existing employment status and contracts. Members also approved recommending two oversight-board composition options: equal representation from Baltimore City and Baltimore County, or a five-city, four-county, two-other-members model. The group further voted 11–0 to recommend introducing legislation during the 2027 General Assembly session to enable legally required changes and extend the workgroup’s role to monitor implementation.

Public commenters criticized the lack of publicly available financial, equity, and legal analyses before the recommendations were considered, while a representative of Bluewater Baltimore supported regional oversight if public ownership of the assets is retained. Discussion addressed rate-setting based on cost-of-service studies, workforce protections, board authority, and implementation needs, including financial, staffing, and infrastructure resources. No specific contract awards, vendor selections, bid approvals, or procurement spending were identified.