WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – Water and sewer customers in Worcester County will see higher bills starting this quarter as fiscal year 2026 rates take effect across all 11 sanitary service areas, according to a post on the Worcester County Maryland Government Facebook page.
The increases are intended to cover actual operating and maintenance costs after years of underfunding.
Base fees per equivalent dwelling unit have risen, and usage tiers have been adjusted for both residential and commercial customers.
In the West Ocean City service area, the rate structure shifted from a “fixtures” basis to a “per EDU” basis to align with the county’s efforts to standardize rates across all service areas. Water bills may be higher this quarter for properties using irrigation, with lower fees expected in the remaining quarters. The increases reflect higher operating costs, including rising chemical prices and additional regulatory requirements for testing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are long-lasting chemicals that may pose health and environmental risks.
Accessibility fees have also been implemented for undeveloped properties holding one or more EDUs. These fees ensure that all properties benefiting from public water or wastewater systems contribute proportionally to the costs of operation, maintenance, and future infrastructure improvements. Property owners may be able to return EDUs, but availability is limited, and any returned EDUs must be repurchased at the original assessed cost if the property is later developed.
For more information about EDUs, contact Worcester County Environmental Programs at 410-632-1220, ext. 1601. Questions about accessibility fees can be directed to the Water and Wastewater Division at 410-632-0686, Option 4.
Detailed rate information for all 11 service areas is available at https://tinyurl.com/ywhvxxdf
