Snow Hill, Maryland – Water and sewer users will see increases in their bills beginning this quarter. Rates in each of the 11 water and wastewater sanitary service areas (SSAs) increased in fiscal year 2026 to cover actual operating and maintenance costs increases.
The service areas were designed to fund themselves, but they were underfunded for years. If the rates remained flat from FY25, revenues would not cover actual expenses for FY26 in each of the service areas.
Base fees per EDU increased and usage tiers changed for residential and commercial customers. The rate structure in the West Ocean City SSA changed from a “fixtures” basis to a “per EDU” basis, as part of County efforts to implement similar rate structures across the service areas.
Water bills tend to run higher during this quarter for homeowners who irrigate their properties. The remaining three quarters typically experience less water usage and, thus, reflect lower usage fees.
Expenses reflect increased operating costs, including higher chemical prices and additional regulatory requirements to test for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS, often referred to as forever chemicals, are widely used, long-lasting chemicals that can be harmful to human health and pose environmental risks.
The County also implemented accessibility fees in FY26 to undeveloped properties with one or more equivalent dwelling units (EDUs). Note, some areas were already being charged accessibility fees. These fees play a key role in the county’s efforts to establish uniform, transparent rates across the SSAs, so that adequate funding is available to 1) cover current operating and maintenance costs and 2) establish reserve funding to pay for future infrastructure improvements.
Undeveloped properties that are holding EDUs are guaranteed future access to public water and/or sewer, and they play a key role in supporting the operating and maintenance needs of the service areas where they are located. These fees ensure that all properties that benefit from access to a public water and/or wastewater system contribute proportionally to the costs to build and maintain that infrastructure (e.g., treatment plants, pump stations, mains). Without these fees, existing, connected users would be required to shoulder all these costs.
Any owner of an undeveloped property that has been allotted an EDU may be able to return the EDU. However, due to capacity limitations and development demands, EDUs may not be available if a property owner decides later to develop the land. Furthermore, the property owner would be required to buy the EDU back at the cost assessed at the time of purchase. For more information about EDUs, contact Worcester County Environmental Programs at 410-632-1220, ext. 1601.
To learn more about accessibility fees, please contact the Water and Wastewater Division’s billing department at 410-632-0686 and select Option 4.
For detailed information about rates in each of the 11 service areas, visit https://www.co.worcester.md.us/departments/publicworks/water/charges.