Overview

The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model Work Group was established by the Maryland General Assembly to study the regional water governance model approach for the management, protection, and operation of water and wastewater in the Baltimore region. The workgroup will review the 2023 report presented to the General Assembly by a prior taskforce, who evaluated the water and wastewater operations of Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

That report offered several options for governing models to address short- and long-term issues. The task force believed “Option E” – a Special District/Authority, could address many of the long-term regional concerns cited throughout the study, but did not have the time to fully investigate. This legislation and current workgroup’s mission is the result of the recommendation to explore the possibility and viability of a regional governing authority. 

Public comment can be sent to watergovernance@baltimorecity.gov

Past Meetings

MeetingAgendaVideosPresentation
Workgroup Meeting #1
Wednesday, January 7 2026
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Baltimore City Council Chambers
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD  21202
Meeting 1 AgendaWatch Meeting 1Meeting 1 Presentation
Workgroup Meeting #2
Monday, April 27 2026
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Jefferson Building
105 W. Chesapeake Ave
Towson, MD  21204
Room 104
Meeting 2 AgendaWatch Meeting 2
Password: cHykJuY6   Note: audio issues for the first 10 minutes of recording
Meeting 2 Presentation
Workgroup Meeting #3
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
6:00 PM

Baltimore City Hall
100 Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD  21202
City Council Chambers
Meeting 3 AgendaWatch Meeting 3Meeting 3 Presentation 1
Meeting 3 Presentation 2
Rates & Bills Comparison

Upcoming Meetings

Meeting Details for September 16th meeting:

Date and time:
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 6:00 PM | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Jefferson Building
105 W. Chesapeake Ave
Towson, MD  21204
Room 104

Watch live on CharmTV:
https://charmtvbaltimore.com/live-stream

MeetingAgendaVideosPresentation
Workgroup Meeting #4
Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Jefferson Building
105 W. Chesapeake Ave
Towson, MD  21204
Room 104
   
Workgroup Meeting #5
Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Baltimore City Hall
100 Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD  21202
City Council Chambers
   
Report Completion
Thursday, December 31, 2026
   

Resources

2026 Workgroup Timeline | Mission Statement | 2023 Report 

Workgroup Members

  • Bill Henry, Baltimore City Comptroller (Chair)
  • Antoinette Ryan Johnson, President, City Union of Baltimore (CUB)
  • Patrick Moran, President, AFSCME Council 3
  • Kishia L. Powell, General Manager/CEO, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) Water
  • Kelly Baxter, Water/Wastewater Treatment Practice Leader, Mott MacDonald
  • Matthew Garbark, Director, Baltimore City Department of Public Works
  • Matthew Carpenter, Deputy Director, Baltimore County Office of Budget & Finance
  • Michael Swygert, Chief – Metropolitan District Financing and Petitions, Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation
  • Mary Washington, Senator District 43
  • Dana Stein, Delegate District 11B, Vice-Chair, Environment and Transportation Committee
  • Karen Henry, Director, Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works
  • Adam Ortiz, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment
  • Karen Dettmer, Director of Water Resources US, Ramboll