Advocates decry city inaction on water

On the day a slew of measures was supposed to take effect to make water more affordable in Baltimore and give renters new rights, advocates called on Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young to push forward with the changes, saying the coronavirus pandemic has made the matter even more urgent.

The city Department of Public Works warned the City Council weeks ago it would miss Monday’s deadline to implement the Water Accountability and Equity Act amid the coronavirus crisis.

But the “Right to Water” coalition said the agency should begin phasing in the new protections immediately. Molly Amster, coalition member and Jews United for Justice’s Baltimore director, said the outbreak does not justify the agency’s delay.

“The decision to completely kick the can down the road is unacceptable and unnecessary,” Amster said. “Baltimoreans need action from our mayor and DPW now. Immediate implementation where possible and diligent work on full implementation is needed.”

Young’s office and the public works department did not respond to a request for comment. The administration is pushing for the bill’s implementation to be pushed back until next summer.

The council passed the sweeping water affordability law in the fall, although the provisions in it have been years in the making. The changes to Baltimore’s long-dysfunctional water billing system are to provide discounted water rates, based on a customer’s income, and give residents more rights to dispute erroneous bills.