Regional Water Governance Work Group

The water and wastewater systems in our region serve approximately 1.8 million residents across Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and surrounding areas. While these systems are shared by many communities, they are currently owned and managed solely by Baltimore City under agreements that are more than 50 years old. To address modern needs, a new coalition of leaders has formed to create a regional approach to managing this essential resource. Our goal is to design a system where all participating jurisdictions have a voice in how services are managed and paid for. By modernizing how we govern our water systems, we aim to ensure that services remain efficient, fair, and reliable for all families and communities in the region for years to come.

Membership

This thirteen-member coalition brings together a diverse group of experts, elected officials, and community stakeholders committed to solving the region's pressing water challenges. The group is made up of the following members:

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

Legal Background and Requirements

This work group was established following the recommendations of a previous state-mandated task force that concluded in early 2024. That initial body was created under state law to review the business operations of the water utility and determine the best way to restructure its management.

The current work group is tasked with performing the necessary due diligence to implement a new regional model. This includes conducting deep analysis into specific requirements—often referred to as threshold issues—such as ensuring racial and economic equity, protecting the pensions and benefits of current workers, managing existing debt, and adhering to environmental regulations.

We operate with the support of the State of Maryland, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County to draft the necessary legislation and funding plans required to make this transition successful.

Contact

For more information, call 310-537-4174.