Financial Information
It takes billions of dollars to operate WSSC Water, and billions more to plan and build all the improvements we have planned. This is how we arrive at those big numbers.
It takes billions of dollars to operate WSSC Water, and billions more to plan and build all the improvements we have planned. This is how we arrive at those big numbers.
Maryland law requires that each year, WSSC Water prepare capital and operating budgets to show funding and staff requirements, organizational components, and its source of funds.
The budget process begins with WSSC Water's many divisions and departments submitting their requests, in line with the General Manager's guidance. Management reviews the requests, then the General Manager presents recommendations to the Commissioners. Following their review, the Commissioners approve a proposed budget for public hearing and make a budget document available to the public before January 15. Public hearings on the proposed budget are then held in Montgomery County and Prince George's County before February 15. Comments and testimony from those hearings are considered before the proposed budget is sent to the counties, which by law must be by March 1 of each year.
The County Councils and County Executives then review the budget and make recommendations; any amendments must be approved by June 1. When the counties' actions have been received, WSSC Water adopts an Approved Budget and sets the levels for charges, fees, and taxes. The Approved Budget takes effect on July 1.
Once a budget is adopted, WSSC Water's total expenditures may not exceed the approved budget without an approved budget supplement, which must be approved by the Montgomery and Prince George's County Councils.
The Proposed FY 2024 Budget for all operating and capital funds totals $1.614 billion or $144.9 million (9.9%) more than the FY 2023 Approved Budget. The Proposed Operating Budget of $931.2 million represents an increase of $66.6 million (7.7%) over the FY 2023 Approved Operating Budget of $864.6 million. The Proposed Capital Budget of $683.1 million represents an increase of $78.3 million (12.9%) from the FY 2023 Approved Capital Budget of $604.8 million.
While WSSC Water continues its efforts to protect water quality and spend customer dollars wisely; the financial constraints of the budget continues to be a significant challenge due to the continued approval of lower than requested rates and the impact of inflation all while ensuring WSSC Water continues to protect public health and safety by providing safe, clean and reliable water and maintaining our AAA bond rating.
For details, see the FY 2024 Proposed Budget
The Approved Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Budget for all operating and capital funds totals $1.469 billion or $86.5 million (5.6%) lower than the Approved FY 2022 Budget. The Approved Operating Budget of $864.6 million represents an increase of $12.5 million (1.5%) over the FY 2022 Approved Operating Budget of $852.1 million.
For details, see the FY 2023 Approved Budget
FY 2023 Operating Budget Reductions Totaling $23.1 Million and Impact Statements
FY 2023 Capital Improvements Program Reductions Totaling $110.5 Million and Impact Statements
The Proposed FYs 2024-2029 Capital Improvements Program includes an estimated combined total program of $5.9 billion, approximately $11 million greater than the Adopted FYs 2023-2028 CIP. Estimated combined expenditures in the six-year program period are approximately $4.5 billion, $334 million greater than the previous CIP. Expenditures for FY 2024 are estimated at $704.7 million for the combined program, $79 million greater than the previous CIP.
View the Proposed 2024-2029 CIP
The Adopted FYs 2023-2028 Capital Improvements Program includes an estimated combined total program of $5.9 billion. Estimated combined expenditures in the six-year program period are approximately $4.2 billion. Expenditures for FY 2023 are estimated at $625.5 million for the combined program.
View 2023-2028 Adopted CIP Details
Maryland law requires that WSSC Water prepare a six-year Capital Improvements Program for major water and sanitary sewerage facilities and submit it to Montgomery County and Prince George's County before October 1 each year. After the County Councils' final action on the CIP, WSSC Water makes any necessary changes and adopts the CIP before the first fiscal year of the six-year program.
Pursuant to §17-401 of the Maryland Annotated Code, Public Utilities Article, this searchable database contains payments made by WSSC Water to a payee in the aggregate amount of $25,000 or greater in a single fiscal year (July 1-June 30) beginning with Fiscal Year 2019.
Over the past 15 years WSSC Water has worked with staff from both Prince George’s and Montgomery County Governments to improve the affordability of water and sewer extensions for customers inside the service envelope in the County’s Ten Year Water & Sewer Plans. Below are links to a review of this issue in 2006 and 2014.