Local measure · Baltimore City County
Baltimore City Question HCharter Amendment – Separate Water and Wastewater Department
What your vote means
YES
A YES vote creates a separate Department of Water and Wastewater, taking water and sewer duties out of the Department of Public Works as of Jan. 1, 2029.
NO
A NO vote leaves water and wastewater inside the Department of Public Works.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- The new department would be run by a Director and take over oversight of the city's water supply and wastewater systems from the Department of Public Works. source: elections.maryland.gov
- It also removes the charter rule that Public Works bureaus be created or ended by city ordinance. source: elections.maryland.gov
- The water bureau serves about 1.8 million customers across the Baltimore area; its fiscal 2027 operating budget is $677 million and capital budget is $473 million. source: baltimorecity.gov
- City officials say the standalone agency would be running by the end of 2028; the ballot says Jan. 1, 2029. source: elections.maryland.gov
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- Announced May 29, 2026 by Mayor Brandon Scott, Council President Zeke Cohen and Comptroller Bill Henry; sponsored by Councilmembers Odette Ramos and Ryan Dorsey. source: baltimorecity.gov
- A 2023 state law created the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Taskforce, whose January 2024 final report recommended a standalone city agency. source: foxbaltimore.com
- The city made Transportation (2003) and General Services (2009) separate from Public Works before. Water was its own department until it joined Public Works in 1925. source: baltimorecity.gov
Why supporters want it
- Mayor Scott: 'establishing this new standalone agency is the best way to protect this critical city asset.' source: foxbaltimore.com
- Comptroller Bill Henry: 'establishing a separate Water and Wastewater Department will help bring us in line with our peer systems.' source: baltimorecity.gov
- Councilman Ryan Dorsey: 'Separating these services from other City operations is the only way to ensure fair and equal treatment.' source: baltimorecity.gov
- DPW Director Matthew Garbark: a dedicated department 'creates the operational focus' needed for current challenges. Stated reasons from the city include steadier revenue collection and possibly lower borrowing costs. source: baltimorecity.gov
Why opponents object
No public statement found.
Who backs each side
- City leadership (Mayor, Council President, Comptroller) announced it jointly. source: baltimorecity.gov
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Baltimore City ballot: elections.maryland.gov .
Charter Amendment Department of Water and Wastewater
Question H establishes in the City Charter a new Department of Water and Wastewater, which will be supervised and directed by a Director. It transfers from the Department of Public Works to this new Department the responsibility to oversee the City's water supply system and its wastewater system, along with related duties. The Amendment also removes from the Charter the requirement that bureaus within the Department of Public Works must be established or abolished by City ordinance. Voting for this amendment brings about the changes described above, which will become effective January 1, 2029. Voting against the amendment leaves the current Charter language governing water and wastewater systems in place.
- For the Charter Amendment
- Against the Charter Amendment
Latest news
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