Prince George's County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Prince George's County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Energy infrastructure planning and grid reliability
The county wants to know whether planning utility infrastructure ahead of growth could keep your utility bills lower. The planning commission will study it and report back with recommendations.
County-owned grocery store feasibility
A resolution directing staff to develop an implementation plan for a county-owned grocery store was introduced but sent to committee after a rule-suspension vote fell short.
2018 Water and Sewer Plan amendments (June 2026 cycle)
Changing water and sewer category designations decides which properties can get public utility service — and that shapes where new development can and can't happen. These cycle amendments could open some areas to growth while keeping others rural.
WSSC FY 2028 budget and water rate increases
WSSC's $2 billion preliminary budget comes with cost-of-service study recommendations of double-digit rate hikes starting at 11.7% in FY 2028, though the utility is planning around a 7% scenario after $29 million in cuts. Committee members pressed on affordability for seniors and fixed-income residents, and WSSC highlighted $10.64 million for customer assistance programs.
WSSC Spending Affordability Limits
The county is setting spending caps on the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission's upcoming water and sewer operating and capital budgets to keep utility costs manageable.
Energy infrastructure planning and utility bills
A proposed study would look at whether master planning for utility use beyond current processes could help lower residents' utility bills.
WSSC FY 2027 water and sewer budget
WSSC briefed the committee on how much public sewer capacity exists countywide — a key constraint on where new development can happen. Sewer availability shapes which properties can be built on and how the county grows.
Potomac plant power failure and aging electrical infrastructure
Last week's power failure at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant disrupted water for most of two counties. WSSC blamed obsolete 1975-era electrical equipment and said an assessment confirms the top three highest-risk projects match the failure points; $11.8 million in electrical upgrades are in the FY 2028 budget.
Utility Shut-Off Moratorium Request
A resolution asking the state to stop utility shut-offs for low-income, senior and medically vulnerable households — and to examine data centers' role in rate hikes — was pushed to October 13.
Water and sewer category change, 7809 Chrome Road
Seven property applications and countywide redesignations moved through the water and sewer plan, enabling connections and small developments mostly in District 9.
Stormwater infrastructure financing
The county plans to borrow up to $38.5 million in low-interest state loans to retrofit about 250 impervious acres and meet its federal stormwater permit obligations.
Stormwater Management Fund Budgets
The county was scheduled to consider borrowing up to $38.5 million through state water infrastructure loans to pay for stormwater and watershed protection projects. The debt is repaid from the watershed fund, not general tax revenue.
$38.5 Million Stormwater Loan Authorization
The county was scheduled to consider borrowing up to $38.5 million through state water infrastructure loans to pay for stormwater and watershed protection projects. The debt is repaid from the watershed fund, not general tax revenue.
Public Sewer Capacity in Prince George's County
Two of the county's sewage plants will hit 97% and 91% of their permitted capacity by 2045. WSSC has to decide soon between expanding plants or reducing flows, and that will mean real money — on top of $88.5 million in projects already underway.
Stormwater Fund Structural Deficit
The county took the first step on borrowing up to $38.5 million from a state water infrastructure fund to pay for stormwater and watershed restoration projects — paid back from the watershed fund, not general taxes.
FY 2028-2033 Capital Improvements Program
The six-year capital program, including the capital improvement budget, was part of the hearing. Legislative Attorney Leroy Maddox read potential CIP project listings into the record, and residents commented on infrastructure priorities.
Sewage odor complaints in Capitol Heights
A Capitol Heights resident says her whole house smells like sewage when running the dishwasher or washing machine, and a senior center off Addison Road had the same problem during lunch. WSSC Water promised to investigate and figure out who's responsible for repairs beyond her property line.
Utility line responsibility on condominium common property
A Suitland condo owner is in a standoff with her condo association over who pays for water and sewer issues on common property between her walls and the property line — and the association recently shifted yard maintenance onto owners. She wants WSSC Water's answer on who's responsible.
Bowie brown water and aging pipes
Residents in Bowie have been dealing with discolored water. WSSC is flushing the system and pointed to tuberculation in old unlined mains; Council Member Adams noted the city of Bowie owns part of the system and has its own replacement and filter-reimbursement program.
Potomac Interceptor Rehabilitation
WSSC and DC Water briefed the Council on the Potomac Interceptor sewer pipe break, emergency response, and a multi-year rehabilitation plan in DC Water's capital program.
Calvert Hills Drainage Improvement Project
The long-running flooding fix for the Calvert Hills neighborhood near Route 1 is moving: parts C and D are under construction with a big stormwater vault, targeting completion by January 2027, and the county is seeking $10.6 million in state grants.
Utility and energy cost increases
Residents are seeing utility bills jump by $300–$400 a month. The council passed a resolution seeking a moratorium on increases, and the Speaker confirmed an energy work group is meeting weekly with everything on the table.