Higher water bills could be on the way for WSSC Water customers in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties after the utility proposed a 5% rate hike as part of its $1.94 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 during a recent public hearing.

The meeting, held over Zoom due to Winter Storm Fern, was the first of two public sessions intended to discuss the proposed budget and solicit customer feedback. During the call, the utility announced a 5.9% increase in its fiscal year budget, including a $44.8 million increase in the capital budget and a $63.5 million increase in the operating budget.

Munetsi Musara, chief financial officer at WSSC Water, said customers can expect a 5% rate increase to water and sewage bills, this will result in a $4.92 monthly increase, a $14.75 quarterly increase, and an annual increase of $59.

Musara cited rising costs due to inflation and tariffs, as well as a reduction in federal funding.

“The clawing back of federal awards and the ending of the infrastructure investments and Jobs Act has led to constraints on available federal funding to supplement our budget,” Musara said.

More than 30 residents from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties joined the call, questioning why their bills continue to rise and how the proposed budget would affect them financially.

“My charges are going up and up and up each year,” said Robert Lovisa of Silver Spring. “And now I’m learning today that it’s going to go up another $14.75 per quarter for the next year.”

Lovisa added that although affordability was addressed in the presentation, he did not feel it was reflected in practice.

Musara said the proposed rate hike would allow the WSSC to continue making required capital investments in future budgets, noting that the average residential water bill is about 1% of the median household income for customers.

Mark Smith, WSSC Water commission chair for Prince George’s County, said the agency has worked to contain rising costs.

“As we move into 2026, it’s been a difficult year for us and for our customers,” Smith said. “We know whether it’s the government shutdown, layoffs, etc, they have had a very significant impact on those who we serve.”

Some residents, however, questioned leadership decisions at WSSC Water and why the utility did not fully adopt recommendations from a recent audit of the Patuxent Raw Water Main project. The report outlined ways capital improvement projects could remain within scope and budget.

“All these issues point to a lack of senior leadership and [a] system that has little if any accountability to other government entities and the public at large,” said Laurel resident Paul Gentile. “These recommendations point to the lack of leadership and ineptness that requires replacement of the current business practices.”

After reviewing public comments, WSSC will approve the budget and send it to committees in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties for approval in May and adoption in June.