Water and Sewer Service Charges and Fees

The Metropolitan District charges are authorized by the Baltimore County Code 2015, Article 20 and the Executive Order.

To find out where water and sewer mains are located in relation to your property, call 410-887-2423.

SEWER SERVICE CHARGE

The sewer service charge is an annual user fee billed on the July 1 Property Tax bill. It is assessed to recover the cost of treatment and transportation of wastewater.

Every property connected to the Metro District sewer system, which has a separate property tax identification number, will be charged based on the volume of water consumed during the prior calendar year, January 1 to December 31, as reported by Baltimore City Bureau of Water and Wastewater. Properties with private wells and properties where a master water meter serves multiple properties, such as condominiums, may be charged based on plumbing fixture rates.

This charge can only be removed upon receipt of a permit that shows the property connection to the sewer system has been capped off.

Most properties are charged based on the volume of water used. Your water bill shows the number of units used in a quarterly period. A unit equals 100 cubic feet of water, or 748 gallons. Rates vary based on the property type.

WELLS CONNECTED TO THE PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM

Baltimore County charges those on well and public sewer based on the plumbing fixtures on the property. The permit that was obtained when these fixtures were installed is the basis for this charge.

Running toilets, dripping faucets or leaking pipes could be some of the causes of higher water use.

Since the water flows down the sewer, leaking toilets don't necessarily leave any signs of a leak until you get the bill. The average leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water per day. That's over 72,000 gallons a year (over $248 on your water bill and $755 in sewer service costs for a residential customer) for just one leaking toilet. The United States Geologic Survey (USGS) provides an interesting drip calculator to help you see how much water a dripping faucet wastes.

Property owners are urged to review their quarterly water bills from Baltimore City. If your water bill starts to look higher than normal, one of these issues may be the cause. We have provided some information to help show how much water is used and some examples on how to conserve your usage.

For a family of four, the average Sewer Service charge is $1,223.00. This is based on 156 units of water used in a calendar year. A unit is based on 100 cubic feet of water or 748 gallons.

Your quarterly usage can be found on your water bill from Baltimore City.

Commercial and Industrial charges can vary based on the type of business. A hair salon would expect to use more water and have a higher charge than an accounting office.

SUSPECTED LEAKS

If your plumbing fixtures are leaking, such as a running toilet, or a dripping faucet—fix it as soon as possible. Not only does your water bill increase but your annual Sewer Service charge will go up. The water you use is what your Sewer Service charge is based on. Learn more about how drips and leaks affect your water usage.

ELIGIBILITY FOR CHARGE ADJUSTMENTS

Depending on whether the leak is inside the dwelling or business, or outside between the meter and the structure, call Baltimore City to see if an adjustment can be made on your water bill.

For your Sewer Service charge, only leaks from water that did not go to sewer may be considered for an adjustment if repaired by a licensed plumber. Inside leaks like running toilets or dripping faucets are not eligible for an adjustment to the Sewer Service charge, because the water went through the sewer system and therefore incurred the cost of transporting it and cleaning it.

WATER DISTRIBUTION CHARGE

The water distribution charge is a flat annual fee billed on the July 1 Property Tax bill that provides funds for repairs and maintenance of major facilities such as pumping stations, transmission mains and storage facilities. Charges are determined by the size of the meter servicing the property. Rates vary based on the property type.

This charge begins when the water meter is applied for in the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections. It is an annual user fee and can only be removed once an application to abandon the meter has been processed by the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections.

The annual Water Distribution Charge and quarterly water bills (regarding usage) are not the same. Baltimore City sends water bills to all customers that are connected to the public water system, even if you live in Baltimore County.

If you have an inquiry about your water bill, call Baltimore City at 410-396-5398.

WATER AND SEWER BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS

Water and sewer benefit assessments, authorized by Baltimore County Code 2015, Section 20-3-201, are levied on all properties within the Metropolitan District, improved and unimproved, to recover the construction costs of installing water and sewer mains. The charges are on the annual July 1 Property Tax bill and are paid for a 40-year period.

Once applied, these charges remain constant unless there is a change to your property. Charges are based on the average width of the property. Review current rates.

PROPERTY CONNECTION CHARGE

The water and sewer property connection charge is based on the actual cost of the connection from the water or sewer main to the property line. Properties that have access to existing mains should call the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspection at 410-887-3900 for information on procedures.

SYSTEMS CONNECTION CHARGE

The water and sewer connection charge is based on a five-eighths inch water meter. A larger meter will result in a higher charge.

  • Sewer Systems Connection Charge—$875
  • Water Systems Connection Charge—$575

This charge helps to defray the cost of the master facilities necessary to serve the property owners. These master facilities include filtration and treatment plants, large transmission lines, pumping stations and water towers. The master facilities enables the water and sewer systems to operate. The charges collected do not by themselves pay for the facilities. The balance of the cost is acquired through bonds issued by the Metropolitan District of Baltimore County. Revenues collected through these charges enables Baltimore County to keep the amount of debt financing (bond issues) to a minimum.

The charges above may be paid off at any time, decreasing the annual charges on the July 1 Property Tax bill.

DEFICIT CHARGE

Water and sewer deficit charges are the property owner's share of the difference between the actual cost of constructing the water or sewer mains and the revenue derived from the benefit assessments. These charges are based on the same average width footage used to calculate the benefit assessment; however, there is no standard rate per foot. The cost per foot is determined by actual contract costs and therefore will vary by contract. These charges are normally amortized over 40 years at the same interest rate as the true interest cost in the County's most recent issuance of Metropolitan District Bonds at the Final Notice of Special Assessment up to five percent.

This charge may be financed for 40 years at the same interest rate as the true interest cost in the County's most recent issuance of Metropolitan District Bonds at the Final Notice of Special Assessment up to five percent. Financing is limited to residential properties with existing owner occupied dwellings.

This charge is similar to a petition project; however, the project is created due to health concerns. With County Council approval, this charge may be financed for 40 years at the same interest rate as the true interest cost in the County's most recent issuance of Metropolitan District Bonds at the Final Notice of Special Assessment up to five percent. Financing is limited to residential properties with existing dwellings.

BAY RESTORATION FEE

Waste material (effluent) discharged from wastewater treatment plants is one of the top three major contributors of nutrients entering the Bay—urban and agricultural runoffs are the other two. The State of Maryland established the Bay Restoration Fee (BRF) in 2004 to create a dedicated fund to upgrade Maryland’s wastewater treatment plants and enable septic system users to upgrade onsite systems and implement cover crops to reduce nitrogen loading to the Bay.

The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) has the task of administering this program for the State of Maryland.