Logosm.gif (1927 bytes)
navlinks.gif (4688 bytes)
Hruler04.gif (5511 bytes)

Back to DC Water and Sewer Authority main page

Councilmember Carol Schwartz, press release
Schwartz blasts WASA on proposed water rate hike
April 1, 2004

Home

Bibliography

Calendar

Columns
Dorothy Brizill
Bonnie Cain
Jim Dougherty
Gary Imhoff
Phil Mendelson
Mark David Richards
Sandra Seegars

DCPSWatch

DCWatch Archives
Council Period 12
Council Period 13
Council Period 14

Election 1998
Election 2000
Election 2002

Elections
Election 2004
Election 2006

Government and People
ANC's
Anacostia Waterfront Corporation
Auditor
Boards and Com
BusRegRefCom
Campaign Finance
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Management Officer
City Council
Congress
Control Board
Corporation Counsel
Courts
DC2000
DC Agenda
Elections and Ethics
Fire Department
FOI Officers
Inspector General
Health
Housing and Community Dev.
Human Services
Legislation
Mayor's Office
Mental Health
Motor Vehicles
Neighborhood Action
National Capital Revitalization Corp.
Planning and Econ. Dev.
Planning, Office of
Police Department
Property Management
Public Advocate
Public Libraries
Public Schools
Public Service Commission
Public Works
Regional Mobility Panel
Sports and Entertainment Com.
Taxi Commission
Telephone Directory
University of DC
Water and Sewer Administration
Youth Rehabilitation Services
Zoning Commission

Issues in DC Politics

Budget issues
DC Flag
DC General, PBC
Gun issues
Health issues
Housing initiatives
Mayor’s mansion
Public Benefit Corporation
Regional Mobility
Reservation 13
Tax Rev Comm
Term limits repeal
Voting rights, statehood
Williams’s Fundraising Scandals

Links

Organizations
Appleseed Center
Cardozo Shaw Neigh.Assoc.
Committee of 100
Fed of Citizens Assocs
League of Women Voters
Parents United
Shaw Coalition

Photos

Search

What Is DCWatch?

themail archives

PRESS RELEASE

COUNCILMEMBER CAROL SCHWARTZ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Abbot
April 1, 2004
202-724-8105

Schwartz Blasts WASA on Proposed Water Rate Hike

DC Councilmember Carol Schwartz, Chair of the Council's Committee on Public Works and the Environment, made the following comments concerning the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority's (WASA) proposed rate increase during her opening statement at the Committee's hearing this evening on lead in the water:

"WASA is currently holding meetings with respect to a proposed rate increase for its customers this coming fiscal year. I think it is outrageous that WASA would be attempting to increase rates at this time. This city is now dealing with the problem of lead in some of the residents' drinking water precisely because of WASA's inaction, its insensitivity and its lack of urgency in responding. Now they have the audacity to consider increasing rates on District customers, many of whom have been forced to obtain water filters, run their faucets for ten minutes at a time and play a cat-and-mouse game with WASA regarding determining whether or not a particular residence has a lead service line. Unbelievable!"

"Both I, as well as City Administrator Robert Bobb, specifically told WASA weeks ago not to do this. Instead, WASA, which raised rates by 2.5 percent only six months ago, has arrogantly gone ahead and proceeded to consider a rate increase. Based on what? WASA's stellar performance?"

"I just want to say to the WASA officials sitting here today that this is extraordinarily poor judgment on your part, and I call on you to cancel any future meetings regarding proposed rate increases on the residents of the District at this time. The Mayor and I have also written to the President and will have letters delivered tomorrow to the appropriate members of the House and Senate requesting that the District and WASA be reimbursed for the costs associated with managing and abating the lead problem. You know this is occurring, so proceeding with a rate increase, and perhaps using this crisis as a basis for its argument in favor of this, is disingenuous at best."

Back to top of page


Send mail with questions or comments to webmaster@dcwatch.com
Web site copyright ©DCWatch (ISSN 1546-4296)