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From YouTube: Baltimore Co. & Baltimore City Leaders Announce State Legislation on the Water & Wastewater Systems
Description
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott — along with state leaders from both jurisdictions — announce an agreement to introduce legislation regarding the region’s water and wastewater utilities.
Residents of both Baltimore City and Baltimore County jurisdictions are currently served by water and wastewater systems still managed by the Baltimore City Department of Public Works under an agreement that dates back to 1972.
B
Good
afternoon,
everyone
I
am
proud
to
be
here
with
leaders
from
across
the
Baltimore
region.
On
this
historic
occasion,
Baltimore
County,
Executive
Johnny
olchewski,
proud
to
be
joined
by
many
of
our
amazing
legislators
and
leaders
from
across
the
Baltimore
region
in
the
state.
I
first
want
to
thank
my
friend
mayor,
Brandon
Scott,
since
taking
office.
Mayor
Scott
has
been
inactive
and
a
willing
partner
in
tackling
our
regional
challenges,
including.
Why
we're
here
today
and
I
want
to
thank
him
again
for
his
forward-thinking
approach.
B
Thank
you,
my
friend
thank
you
as
well
to
acting
mde
secretary
Serena
McLean
for
supporting
us
on
behalf
of
Governor
Moore's
Administration
today
in
our
work.
We're
also
grateful
to
have
the
support
of
Senate
President,
Bill,
Ferguson
and
The
Pride
of
Baltimore
County
Speaker
Adrian
Jones
I
also
want
to
personally
thank
the
sponsors
of
today's
legislation:
state
senator
Jill,
Carter
state,
senator
Charles,
sydnor
and
delegates
Eric,
ebersol
and
Stephanie
Smith.
B
That
study
identified
a
number
of
challenges
around
customer
billing,
limited
Regional
coordination
and
systematic
limitations
for
long-term
planning
and
Capital
Improvements.
It
concluded
our
jurisdiction
should
convene
a
diverse
stakeholder
group
to
explore
Regional
Solutions
in
order
to
help
standardize
high
quality
Water
Services
across
the
region
improve
the
overall
customer
service
experience
and
lower
shared
costs.
I'm
excited
that
we
are
here
to
do
precisely
that
today,
we're
announcing
the
next
step
in
charting
a
shared
Vision
with
State
legislation,
which
will
form
the
task
force
on
Baltimore,
Regional,
Water
and
Wastewater.
B
While
we
know
that
we
cannot
fully
address
these
decades-old
challenges
overnight,
I
am
so
encouraged
by
this
announcement
and
that
what
it
means
that
we
are
doing
it
together
again.
I
want
to
thank
our
state
legislators
for
their
leadership
on
this
issue
and
to
Mayor
Scott
for
serving
as
a
thoughtful
and
dedicated
partner
in
this
important
effort.
B
C
Thank
you,
Mr
County
Executive.
Thank
you
for
everyone
for
being
here.
I
also
want
to
acknowledge
our
partners,
my
partner,
the
county
executive,
who
has
been
a
true
true
partner
and
true
friend,
to
the
city
of
Baltimore,
acting
secretary
for
the
Maryland
Department
of
environment
secretary
McElwain,
my
state
senate
delegation,
chair
Jill
Carter.
She
actually
represents
my
parents,
so
she
has
a
tough,
tough
job
there.
C
We
heard
you
heard
from
the
county
Executives.
As
we
all
often
say.
Many
things
that
he
and
I
are
dealing
with
are
older
than
us.
These
agreements,
this
water
system,
was
first
established
in
the
mid
19th
century
when
the
city
had
around
250
000
residents
and
has
since
undergone
a
vast
expansion
to
serving
the
1.8
million
dollar
customers
that
you
heard
the
county
executive
talk
about
today.
C
Today's
utility
includes
the
three
reservoirs
containing
86
billion
gallons
of
water,
three
water
treatment
plants,
two
wastewater
treatment
plants
and
multiple
pumping
stations
to
serve
the
growing
needs
of
the
Baltimore
region.
These
treatment
plants
combined
produce
360
million
gallons
of
drinking
water
Order
each
day
our
wastewater
treatment
plants
collect
and
treat
an
average
flow
of
200
million
gallons
of
Wastewater
daily
through
a
complex
system
of
3
100
miles
of
sanitary
Mains.
C
We
have
been
proud
to
diligently
serve
at
the
Baltimore
regions,
water
supply
for
all
of
these
years,
but
we
are
at
a
pivotal
moment
in
the
history
where
we
need
to
determine
what
the
future
needs
of
our
region
will
look
like
and
how
to
best
address
those
needs
through
the
utility.
We
are
here
today
to
announce
historic
legislation
that
we
have
developed
jointly
together
to
establish
a
regional
water
governance
task
force
together.
C
We
are
securing
a
brighter
future
for
all
of
our
residents
by
ensuring
efficient,
Equitable
and
sustainable
delivery
of
this
essential
service,
and
let
me
be
clear
about
this
again
that
water
is
a
human
right
and
some
be
providing
access
to
Water
and
Sewer
Services.
Isn't
enough?
Is
Our
obligation
to
put
in
place
legislation
that
gives
our
residents
access
to
long-term
Quality
Service,
while
protecting
one
of
their
most
basic
needs?
The
creation
of
this
task
force
is
the
first
step
in
modernizing
the
governance
of
water
and
wastewater
utilities
throughout
greater
Baltimore.
C
C
the
county,
executive
and
I
didn't
create
that
a
great
delegation
didn't
create
that
I'll
governor
who's,
just
a
few
weeks
on
the
job,
didn't
create
that.
But
we
are
going
to
work
now
to
solve
that
issue.
The
dynamic
of
our
state
has
shifted,
and
so
has
our
overall
population
and
infrastructure
needs,
and
we
need
a
system
that
reflects
those
Trends
and
exists
in
the
21st
century
in
Baltimore.
C
It
is
our
duty
to
ensure
that
everyone
has
Fair,
affordable
and
Equitable
access
to
clean
water,
and
that
is
our
ultimate
goal
for
when
this
task
force
brings
its
recommendations
back
to
Annapolis
next
January
I
believe
that
there
is
strength
in
numbers
and
the
folks
you
see
here
today
came
all
the
way
to
Annapolis
from
the
county
and
the
city.
If
you're
myself,
the
folks
who
work
here
each
and
every
day
to
uplift
this
legislation,
because
the
sustainability
of
our
communities
and
the
1.8
million
customers
we
serve
is
at
stake.
C
There
is
power
and
partnership,
and
the
formation
of
this
task
force
is
a
key
step
to
making
sure
that
we
continue
to
move
that
way.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
all
for
being
here.
Thank
you
to
the
support
from
the
Senate
President,
the
speaker,
all
of
the
folks
who
have
stepped
up
to
say
this
is
the
right
approach
for
us
to
take,
and
now
I
will
turn
it
over
to
our
acting
mde
secretary
secretary
McElwain.
Thank
you
very
much.
D
Well,
it's
wonderful
to
be
here
and
to
see
you
all
today
and
to
talk
about
this
important
partnership
initiative.
The
Maryland
Department
of
the
environment
believes
this
proposed.
Collaboration
between
jurisdictions
is
a
big
step.
It's
a
big
step
forward
to
ensuring
that
the
Region's
drinking
water
and
wastewater
facilities
maintain
compliance
with
their
permits
and
our
environmental
laws.
D
The
task
force
is
the
first
step
in
a
regional
partnership
to
prioritize
safe
drinking
water
and
healthy
environments
for
all
and
for
all
the
people
in
Baltimore
City
and
in
Baltimore,
County
Back,
River
and
Patapsco
play
a
real
critical
role
in
protecting
public
health
and
marylanders,
and
the
Chesapeake
Bay
watershed
the
task
force.
That's
announced
that
was
announced
today.
It's
an
exciting
opportunity
because,
together
we
will
do
lots
of
things
to
include
modernize
and
strengthen
the
Baltimore
metropolitan
areas,
Water
and
Wastewater
partnership,
which
is
critical.
D
It's
also
going
to
ensure
or
better
ensure
the
protection
of
Public
Health
and
the
environment.
In
the
face
of
climate
change,
it
will
increase
Workforce
for
utilities
and
reach
communities
that
are
overburdened
and
underserved
mde
I
stand
before
you
today
to
tell
you
that
we
are
committed.
We
are
committed
to
assisting
Back,
River
and
Patapsco
communities
with
funding,
which
is
really
important,
really
really
critical
to
this
partnership,
but
we're
com
we're
committed
to
funding
for
both
completion
of
the
capital
projects
and
facility
and
Equipment
upgrades,
as
well
as
provide
long-term
resources
for
maintenance
and
operations.
D
D
E
Thank
you.
Madam
Secretary
I'm
excited
to
Champion
this
much
needed
long
overdue
legislation
to
ensure
the
Quality
quality
water
for
our
residents,
but
also
equity.
For
far
too
long,
too
many
Baltimore
residents
have
suffered
High
bills,
but
poor
quality
water.
It's
no
secret,
our
issues,
our
long-standing
issues
with
lead
and
other
toxins
in
our
water,
and
so
this
is
a
step
in
the
right
direction
to
modernize.
E
That
I'm
particularly
also
excited
for
the
41st
District,
with
respect
to
the
beauty
of
Lake
ashburton,
which
has
been
undergoing
a
project
to
ensure
water,
filtration
Safe
Water
for
our
residents
for
far
too
long
and
I'm,
hoping
that
that's
one
area
that
this
legislation
will
help
and
so
I'm
all
in
and
I'm
excited
for
the
people
of
Baltimore
city
and
county
and
I
expect
great
and
rapid
results.
Thank
you.
A
All
right,
but
boom
good
afternoon,
everyone
first
of
all,
I
want
to
say
this
is
certainly
a
bipartisan
Bill
I've
seen
Senator
sowling
delegate
long
I'd
like
to
introduce
I
mean
Senator
hettleman
is
here
Senator,
Carter
and
and
senator
Washington.
She
she's
what
I
was
before
redistricting,
which
is
I,
call
the
the
the
epitome
of
regionalism.
A
Last
September
I
am
pleased
to
stand
with
everyone-
that's
up
here
and
take
this
Regional
approach,
which
is
just
an
initial
step
to
address
a
pressing
issue
that
we
have,
that
we
all
have
stakes
and
solved
in
to
see
Baltimore
nationally
mentioned
in
the
same
breath
that
we've
mentioned
places
like
Flint,
Michigan
and
Jackson.
Mississippi
certainly
is
unacceptable.
A
I
agree
with
the
mayor
that
access
and
and
water
is
a
human
right,
safe
drinking
water
and
sanitation
must
be
a
non-negotiable,
must
be
non-negotiable
for
our
communities.
This
legislation
establishes
the
Baltimore
Regional,
Water
and
Wastewater
task
force,
which
will
be
charged
with
recommending
better
governance
model
for
us,
thereby
laying
the
foundation
to
address
these
water
issues
for
our
children
and
future
Generations
not
yet
born
so
I'm
pleased
to
be
one
of
the
Senate
sponsors
and
co-sponsoring
it
with
Senator
Joe
Carter,
and
with
that
I'm
going
to
hand
the
mic
over
to
delegate
Smith.
F
Thank
you,
as
we've
heard
from
many
that
have
spoken
before
me,
water
is
life.
It
is
something
that
residents
of
Baltimore
County
and
Baltimore
City
shouldn't
have
to
worry
about.
Is
the
water
they're
receiving
safe
is
the
bill?
Affordable?
Is
the
bill
clear?
Do
we
have
the
appropriate
infrastructure
to
ensure
that
service
Delivery,
Service
delivery
will
be
reliable
in
the
years
to
come?
I
am
so
excited
to
have
the
leadership
of
the
county
executive
and
the
mayor
along
with
not
just
colleagues
but
actually
friends
from
Baltimore,
County
and
Baltimore
city.
F
There's
not
another
group
of
leaders
that
have
to
start
from
from
scratch
and
ensuring
that
we
have
proper
accountability
for
the
many
constituents
that
we
represent
so
again,
I'm
honored
to
be
here
with
friends
and
colleagues
doing
what
needs
to
be
done
and
I
just
want
to
leave
everyone
with
collaboration,
isn't
just
a
good
thing
to
do
it's
the
competent
thing
to
do
as
a
leader
and
I'm
glad
to
be
a
part
of
it.
Thank
you.
G
Well,
good
afternoon,
everyone
I'm
Eric,
Ebersole
and
I'm,
the
chair
of
the
Baltimore
County
delegation,
I,
couldn't
be
more
pleased
with
Baltimore
county
is
here
and
stepping
up
with
their
Partners.
You
know
this.
Historically,
the
city
was
the
center
of
services,
Water
and
Sewer
included
back,
as
the
mayor
said
back
to
the
19th
century,
and
we
tried
to
grow
in
1972
and
come
up
with
a
with
a
with
an
arrangement
between
us
and
it
probably
was
a
good
one.
I
was
there
for
it
by
the
way
they
say
they
weren't,
but
I
was
okay.
G
This
is
the
beginning
of
a
renewed
partnership
between
our
our
jurisdictions
for
water
and
sewer
and
I
commend
the
county
executive
olshevsky
and
the
mayor
Mayor
Scott,
for
recognizing
this,
and
for
asking
the
state
delegation
to
step
up
and
make
it
possible
for
them
to
do
it.
I'm
looking
forward
to
much
greater
service
because
we
are
working
together,
and
that
was
what
I
hope
will
happen
and
I.
Thank
you
very
much.
I'm
the
last,
and
so
now
you
get
to
ask
some
questions.
I
believe
oh
I,
want
to
point
out.
G
C
Well,
I
think
we
we're
anticipating
that
the
task
force
Dave
is
going
to
come
up
with
how
we
should
govern
the
system,
how
the
system
should
look,
we're
not
going
into
it
dictating
what
the
task
force
is
going
to
do,
and
we
thought
this
was
the
best
way,
because
when
you
don't
make
the
mistakes
of
the
past,
when
you
put
things
in
law
that
are
things
where
people
can
see,
they
can
host
you
directly
accountable
for
so
the
county,
executive
and
I.
Both
thought
this
was
the
best
way.
H
C
I'll
start
in
the
internal
to
the
county
executive,
I
think
for
us.
This
is
a
two-fold
thing
right
one.
We
know
that
that,
over
the
past
two
years
that
water
billing
issues
in
the
city
have
decreased
significantly
on
the
director
Mitchell's
working
initiative.
In
fact,
one
of
the
reasons
why
we,
for
the
first
time
in
a
long
time,
our
rate
increase
this
year,
was
below
inflation.
It's
because
we
were
actually
collecting
properly
collecting
bills
right.
That's
the
reality
of
how
we
were
able
to
do
that.
C
But
I've
answered
your
question
when
you
are
doing
billing
the
way
that
we
have
been
doing
billing
in
2020
the
same,
whether
you
were
doing
it
in
1995.
Of
course,
there
are
going
to
be
issues
and
when
you
talk
about
modernizing
a
system
for
example
today,
just
now,
while
we
were
sitting
here,
we
put
out
that
now.
Folks
who
need
assistance
can
actually
do
that
for
water
bills
via
payment
plans,
something
that
you
can
do
with
every
other
jurisdiction
in
any
other
business
or
any
kind
of
thing
that
you
have
across
this
world.
C
But
we
weren't
able
to
do
that.
This
kind
of
modernization
of
a
system
figuring
out,
what's
the
best
way
to
do
that,
how
to
appropriately
do
the
building
but,
more
importantly,
the
infrastructure,
because
we
know
that
when
you're
talking
about
water,
billing
infrastructure
is
a
important
part
of
that
conversation.
We
know
how
outdated
infrastructure
is
not
just
in
Baltimore
and
this
country.
We
have
the
president
here
celebrating
a
big
infrastructure
investment.
C
We
know
that
we'll
be
going
after
infrastructure,
more
infrastructure
investments
into
our
water
system,
because
that
also
those
small
leaks
that
people
have
the
leaks
out
outside
of
their
home
from
a
a
pipe.
That's
been
there
since
1905
right.
All
of
those
things
play
a
part
in
talking
about
billing,
and
this
is
one
of
the
main
reasons
why
we're
coming
together
to
modernize
the
complexity
and
the
completeness
of
our
water
system.
B
And
I'll
just
merge
frankly,
Pam
you're
and
David's
questions
a
little
bit.
I
mean
the
and
we'll
get
you
a
copy
of
the
legislation
as
well.
But
it
really
is
is
a
comprehensive
look.
It's
both
it's
not
just
governance,
but
it's
also
billing
processes
and
infrastructure,
Investments
and
business
practices.
I
mean
our
goal
is
to
make
this
a
a
modern
Best
in
Class
utility
structure
that
best
serves
our
residents.
That
efficiently
delivers
the
service.
Make
sure
that
the
water
is
clean
and
safe
to
drink.
Make
sure
that
we
are.
B
B
So
we
believe
it's
important
to
have
all
of
our
partners
at
the
table,
and
so
by
doing
it
in
partnership
with
our
delegation
leaders
the
rest
of
our
delegation
with
the
with
mde
and
the
Moore
Administration
with
the
jurisdictions
on
the
table.
Once
we
have
that
review
and
those
recommendations,
we'll
be
poised
to
act
on
them
quickly
and
that's
the
intention.
B
B
The
County,
however,
also
is
responsible
for
funding
the
operations
and
the
capital
Investments,
and
so
we
have
an
important
stake
in
its
success,
and
so
again
I
applaud
the
mayor
for
coming
together
to
look
at
it
at
what
the
best
solution
is
given
those
realities
that
we
have
a
system
that
is
in
recognition
that
this
is
a
city
asset,
it's
City
owned,
but
also
finding
ways
to
modernize
all
of
the
practices
to
ensure
that
we're
delivering
on
all
the
things
we've
talked
about
today.
My.
C
C
This
is
a
shared
thing
and
we're
looking
at
this,
and
how
do
we
do
what
hasn't
been
done
since
1970
whatever
and
that's
actually
modernized
this
infrastructure,
this
system,
for
the
best
of
everyone
who
drinks
that
water
who
takes
a
shower
in
that
water
who
uses
that
and
when
they're
flushing
their
toilets
at
night?
This
is
what
this
is
about:
nothing
more,
nothing
less!.