WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, Maryland 20707-5902. (301) 206-8100. Fax:(301) 206-8186. E-Mail:communications@wsscwater.com

WSSC Releases Preliminary Budget for
Fiscal Year 2011 for Public Review and Comment

Public hearings set for February 3rd and 4th

LAUREL, MD, JANUARY 15: The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) released for public review and comments a preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2011 that addresses increasing operational costs.

The Commission is publishing for public comment a $1.1 billion Capital and Operating Budget for FY ’11, which includes a 9.5% rate increase to pay for increased sewage treatment costs as well as to provide funding for proactive inspection and repair of our aging infrastructure. The rate increase will add approximately $5.11 per month to the average residential customer’s bill. Substantial cuts ($67 million) were made to the FY2010 budget base in an effort to hold down costs.

“We recognize that these are difficult economic times for many people in our area,” said Jerry N. Johnson, WSSC General Manager. “We are striving to balance the additional financial impact on our customers with the overall benefit of the planned programs we believe are necessary to support water and sewer services.”

“Our infrastructure remains a significant concern,” continued Johnson. “While this budget includes additional rate-supported funding for our water and sewer reconstruction programs, we continue to work with our stakeholders in both counties to develop a long-term funding solution.”

After the public comments are received, the budget will be reviewed and voted on by the Commission before being transmitted to the Prince George’s and Montgomery County Executives and Councils for review and approval

Copies of the Fiscal Year 2011 Preliminary Proposed Budget will be available on WSSC’s website at www.wsscwater.com/budget/, and from the WSSC Communications and Community Relations Office, Room 1063, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707, or by telephone 301-206-8100

Two public hearings have been set for February to allow area residents to comment on the proposal.

A written statement may be submitted for inclusion in the record. The statement may be sent electronically to scohen@wsscwater.com, or mailed to Ms. Sheila S. Cohen, Budget Group Leader, WSSC; 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel MD 20707. The public hearing record will remain open until February 16, 2010

If either of the scheduled public hearings is cancelled because of inclement weather, an additional public hearing will be held on February 10, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at the WSSC headquarters, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel MD.

###

WSSC is the 8th largest water and wastewater utility in the nation, with a network of more than 5, 500 miles of fresh water pipe and nearly 5,400 miles of sewer pipeline. Serving customers in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties since 1918, our drinking water has always met of exceeded federal standards.