Update on Bel Air Water Service Issue (June 25, 2025)

Since our last update, we have taken several steps to keep momentum on this issue:

Meeting with American Water Service: We met with representatives from American Water Service, the potential new owners of the system. It’s important to note that the purchase is still in the early stages, with several regulatory reviews and approvals yet to be completed.

• The representatives were open, attentive, and asked thoughtful questions, but they were also candid: they currently have limited to no detailed knowledge of this specific water system. They were unable to answer many of our questions.

• At this time, our interactions are focused on building a working relationship, not demanding decisions or answers—because until the sale is finalized, they have no authority to make changes.

• We appreciate their willingness to listen and engage early in the process, and we will continue to stay in communication - and include them in the invite to the public meeting.
  
  

Engaging Our Delegations: We have also made direct contact with all members of our state and federal delegations. The good news is that every one of them has expressed a willingness to participate in a community town hall.

• Coordinating their calendars is a complex task, and we do not yet have a confirmed date for this event.

• However, we are actively working on it, and we will share a date with the public as soon as it’s finalized.
  
  

Please know that we’re not stepping away from this issue for a single moment. We will continue tracking every development—from the ownership-transfer process to the scheduling of a town-hall meeting—and will share updates with the community as soon as we have them. We understand how unsettling it is to face unpredictable, high water bills, and we genuinely empathize with the stress this places on households. Your concerns remain front-of-mind for the Commissioners and County staff, and we appreciate your patience and engagement as we work—within the limits of our authority—to secure the best possible outcome for our residents.

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(June 12, 2025)
𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫

We understand and share the frustration many of our residents are feeling about the extremely high water bills coming from the privately owned water system that serves your community. The Commissioners have received numerous inquiries and calls for action, and we want to provide a clear update on what has occurred, what’s being done, and where we currently stand.⁣

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫⁣

🔸The County does not own or operate this water system. It is a privately owned utility, and therefore outside of the County’s regulatory control. ⁣

🔸Recently, we learned that the system was being sold to a new private ownership group, pending regulatory approval. As soon as we became aware of the sale, we reached out to the new owners. ⁣

🔸An introductory meeting is scheduled for next week between County representatives and the new owners. Until that conversation takes place, we are in a holding pattern, as we don’t yet know their operational plans, rate philosophies, or willingness to collaborate.⁣

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐧—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭—𝐃𝐨⁣

While the County does not regulate this system or set its rates, we are absolutely committed to advocating on behalf of our residents. Here’s what we want you to know:⁣

🔸We are actively engaged: The Commissioners have pledged to explore every available option and have already initiated multiple avenues to investigate and understand the situation.⁣

🔸We are lobbying: We are using our voice and position to highlight the issue to state and federal level partners and agencies.⁣

🔸But our powers are limited: The rates were approved through a state-level process, not by County officials. The County has no legal authority to reverse or modify those rates.⁣

🔸We are brainstorming solutions: Some residents have asked whether the County could extend public water service to this area. While that has been conceptually considered, early estimates suggest the cost of extending infrastructure would be very high—likely so high that it wouldn’t significantly lower individual bills. Still, this and other options are being researched.⁣

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭⁣

🔸The upcoming meeting with the new water system owners is a critical step. We need to understand their intentions, whether there are any opportunities for negotiation, and what short- and long-term prospects look like.⁣

🔸Once that meeting occurs, we will provide an additional update to the community. Transparency is a priority, and we are committed to sharing everything we can, as soon as we can.⁣

𝐓𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬⁣

We know this is deeply frustrating and feels unfair. Please know: you are being heard. The Commissioners are aware, concerned, and invested in finding a realistic, sustainable solution. Even if it’s outside of our direct control, we are not standing by idly.⁣

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.