Water Bill

We’re reminded every three months that water in Brunswick isn’t cheap.

This is because most of our drinking water comes from the Potomac and much of our water treatment equipment is old. Those things together mean that Brunswick has to work hard just to keep rates steady and gradually reduce the amount of our paycheck that the water bill sucks up.

There’s no silver bullet solution to that problem. Making progress requires perseverance, focus, and a willingness to act quickly when opportunities arise.

We have seen some of that in the last few years. Our Utilities Department runs a tight ship at the water and wastewater treatment plants and, with Public Works, has worked to detect and fix leaks in pipes and mains. The Mayor and Council have taken opportunities to modernize the City’s equipment through state and federal grants and to make better use of Brunswick’s secondary water source at Yourtee Springs.

Making progress requires perseverance, focus, and a willingness to act quickly when opportunities arise.

There’s more yet to do. Replacing Brunswick’s 100 year-old reservoir is at the top of the City’s agenda and ought to stay there. Better filtration equipment would eventually allow the wastewater plant to sell its sludge as fertilizer, recouping some of its operating costs. A new ultraviolet system for wastewater would be able to calibrate its intensity and save on energy expenses.

Staying on top of our water and sewer capacity will be one of my top three priorities. I will continue the City’s current efforts and consider new ones, including tapping into additional water sources such as Little Catoctin Creek as Brunswick grows. I can’t promise an easy fix, but I can promise not to let the issue fade into the background.

---