This Maryland Law was passed May 26, 2004, in part, due to the Chesapeake Bay’s steady decline in water quality due to over enrichment of nutrients (mainly phosphorus and nitrogen). The runoff from wastewater treatment plants is one of the top three major contributors of nutrients entering the Bay. The Bill (SB 320) was created so that wastewater treatment plant users can finance the upgrade of Maryland’s wastewater treatment plants with enhanced nutrient removal technology.

WSSC was charged with billing the fee as a separate line item on the water and sewer bills. WSSC then collects the fee and turns the funds over to the Maryland Department of the Environment who administers the funds.

Residential accounts are assessed a $7.50 quarterly fee while commercial accounts are billed based on the total water consumption during the billing period.

For additional information regarding the Bay Fee or for commercial fee calculations, please visit Maryland’s Department of the Environment website at http://www.mde.state.md.us.