Editorial Advisory Board: Baltimore’s water bill crisis
Baltimore city’s water bill crisis has several sources, among the chief ones a 2002 consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency. The consent decree mandated that Baltimore address its aging water infrastructure and make improvements. Regulations implemented by the federal government after Sept. 11, 2001, requiring water reservoirs across the country to have covered storage, […[...]
Sinkholes shut down downtown Baltimore streets, light rail
Sinkholes have indefinitely shut down parts of two downtown Baltimore streets and interrupted light rail service. News outlets report city officials announced Sunday that sinkholes at the intersection of North Howard and West Lexington streets have resulted in the closure of four blocks of the former and two blocks of the latter. The Maryland Transit […]
Water main break closes Baltimore courthouse — but don’t blame the weather
At least one recent water main break in Baltimore was not caused by the frigid temperatures.
Raw sewage leaks into Baltimore stream for 8 days
Officials say raw sewage leaked into a West Baltimore stream for eight days before crews fixed a broken sewer pipe.
Water chief to take over DPW
The director of Baltimore’s Department of Public Works gave notice on Friday and will be replaced with a deputy, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced.
Claustrophobic worker to settle for $117K
Baltimore’s Board of Estimates is scheduled Wednesday to consider a $117,000 settlement of a federal lawsuit filed by a former city employee who alleged he was repeatedly asked to work in manholes despite his claustrophobia.
Worker, 71, settles ADA suit with Baltimore Co.
Baltimore County will pay more than $130,000, including about $93,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs, to settle claims it required a road-maintenance worker to take unnecessary medical tests and then forced him from his job based on the results.
Water service restored after Baltimore main break
The Department of Public Works says water service has been restored after a main break in east Baltimore.
City water rates to rise 42 percent over three years
Despite a report from the city’s audit department that called for lower increases and protests from a packed room of residents about a lack of collection of $25 million in delinquent water bills, the Board of Estimates, Baltimore’s spending board. voted Wednesday to approve a three consecutive years of rate hikes for city water and sewage bills.
Deal would possibly cut ‘rain tax’ up to 85% for port businesses
Baltimore officials are close to an agreement with port and other harbor-area industries that could significantly reduce the amount those businesses would pay under the city’s proposed stormwater fee.
Inner Harbor water quality barely passes
The water quality in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor last year was given a grade of C-minus by local environmentalists hired to gauge the viability of one of the city’s greatest assets, its waterfront.
Hearing on water rate hike set for June
As the city comptroller criticized a plan by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to raise the water rates for Baltimore residents, Baltimore’s spending board on Wednesday set a June 26 public hearing date to discuss the three-year, 37 percent hike.