OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Public Hearing on FY 2028-2033 CIP – Prince George’s County – September 3, 2026

County Council & Boards — Thursday, September 3, 2026
BodyPrince Georges County, Maryland
SessionCounty Council & Boards
DateThursday, September 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 32:39

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Good evening.

0:04

On behalf of WSSC Water and its staff, I welcome you to this public hearing on our draft proposed capital improvements program, also known as the CIP for fiscal years 2028 through 2033.

0:17

I am Commissioner Regina Speedboss, representing Prince George's County.

0:21

Joining me this evening is our general manager and CEO, Keisha L.

0:26

Powell, and several other WSSC Water staff members.

0:30

Before going further, I will ask our communications director, Chuck Brown, to brief us on the outreach efforts for tonight's hearing.

0:42

Thank you, Commissioner Speedboss again, Chuck Brown, Director of Communications for WSSC Water.

0:47

I'm pleased to highlight our extensive community outreach efforts to encourage public participation and promote transparency for tonight's public hearing.

0:56

WSSC Water used a variety of methods to alert and inform our customers about tonight's hearing and last night's hearing in Montgomery County.

1:04

A bilingual insert was placed in all customer bills starting in May and continuing through August.

1:12

A public notice was printed in both the Prince George's County Post and the Washington Post in early August.

1:20

We've been promoting these meetings heavily throughout all of our social media channels Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blue Sky, and that includes paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram.

1:33

On August 31st, we sent out notice of the hearing to our 4,342 constant contact subscribers.

1:42

We also have a newsletter that we email out to about 10,430 customers.

1:48

What are we up to?

1:49

Where we provided information about tonight and last night's hearing.

1:58

That goes out to stakeholders, media, and uh key elected officials about tonight's hearing and of course last night's hearing.

2:08

Um elected officials, a letter was transmitted from General Manager Powell to all elected officials announcing both hearings prior to tonight's meeting.

2:19

And with that, I'll turn it back over to you, Commissioner Speedboss.

2:24

Thank you, Chuck.

2:27

I will now ask CIP section manager Sunil Pendat Pendeya from our finance department and facility and design and construction section manager Claude Modese to provide a brief overview of the CIP.

2:49

Uh Commissioner Speedboss, is it okay if I give some opening remarks?

2:55

That is that is fine.

2:57

Let's make we'll do that.

2:58

GM Powell, would you like to make any remarks before we begin the presentation?

3:02

Yes, ma'am.

3:03

I'll just kick us off and then turn it over to the team to present the CIP.

3:08

Um thank you again, Commissioner Speedboss, for being here and for offering me the opportunity uh to share some thoughts before the presentation.

3:17

Tonight we're talking about a significant investment in the future of our region.

3:22

4.7 billion dollars over six years from fiscal year 2028 through fiscal year 2033, including 742.8 million in proposed capital investments in fiscal year 2028 alone.

3:42

These investments are about much more than pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities.

3:47

Infrastructure is the foundation of public health, environmental protection, and a strong economy.

3:53

And the work we do today will help ensure that WSSC Water can continue providing safe, reliable water and wastewater services for generations to come.

4:05

Our capital program is designed to deliver sustained and transformative change across the communities we serve.

4:13

And that transformation creates tremendous opportunity, not just for WSSC water, but for Maryland businesses, workers, and the local communities where we invest.

4:24

We know that every 1 million dollars invested in water infrastructure creates approximately 15 to 18 jobs.

4:32

This is an economic impact comparable to investments in clean energy, health care, and defense.

4:40

So when we invest in water, we are also investing in jobs, economic development, and opportunity.

4:47

I was reminded of that recently at last week's Tap Into Business event, where we brought local businesses together to talk about how we can partner to maximize the opportunities created by our investments.

5:00

That commitment to create opportunities is rooted in a simple but powerful belief, and that is WSSC Water is an anchor institution, and the work we perform serves as a building block to uplift our communities and businesses.

5:16

In fact, over the past five years, our work has contributed $704 million to businesses in Prince George's and Montgomery counties, including more than $419 million with local minority and women-owned businesses.

5:32

And with the recent passage of House Bill $1230, we have an opportunity to further modernize WSSC Water's business participation framework and strengthen opportunities for local and Maryland businesses and workers to benefit from the billions of dollars we invest in critical infrastructure.

5:54

There is a tremendous amount of work ahead of us and a tremendous amount of opportunity.

6:00

With that, I'll turn it over to my colleagues who will walk you through the details of our capital improvement program and the investments we are proposing to drive sustained and transformative change.

6:14

Thank you.

6:20

Thank you, General Manager Powell.

6:22

For the record, my name is Sunil Pandier.

6:24

I am the Capital Project Section Manager.

6:31

This slide shows our service area.

6:33

We highlight the location of our water filtration plans and water resource recover facilities on the map to the right.

6:41

And as you may know, we have never had a drinking water quality violation.

6:47

And we serve our 1.5 million customers, proudly providing safe and reliable drinking water.

6:57

The preliminary FI28 capital budget is $742.8 million, which is 35.76 million less than that of fiscal year 2027.

7:10

Consent degree and multi-use joint facilities account for 21.2% or 157.8 million of the budget.

7:20

65% of the fiscal year 2028 budget is comprised of five programs.

7:28

Reconstruction program, blue planes, metering infrastructure upgrade, Western Branch Water Resource Recovery Facility, Process Train Improvements, and lead reduction unifications, replacement, and program management.

7:46

The six-year CIP totals $4.71 billion.

7:51

Funding is comprised of $3.53 billion in bonds, $121 million in paygo, and $265 million in external funds.

8:05

The Potomac Consent Degree and Multi-Use John facilities account for 21% or 984.5 million of the six-year CIP budget.

8:29

We have the same mix of funding sources for the capital budget with bonds still making up the primary funding source, increasing by 28.19 million from the fiscal year 2027 levels to 538.7 million, partially offsetting the decrease in state grants and loans, which are at 66.2 million from 133 million in fiscal year 2027.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████████████████████████63%
Public Engagement███████████15%
Procedural██████9%
Economic Development███4%
Environmental Protection███4%
Energy Management██3%
Engineering And Infrastructure█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Public Hearing on the FY 2028-2033 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) – Prince George’s County

This public hearing, held on September 3, 2026, at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo, Maryland, was conducted by WSSC Water to receive public input on the proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2028 through 2033. The hearing was opened by Commissioner Lynnette D. Espy-Willaims (per the agenda) but the transcript shows Commissioner Regina Speedboss presiding; this discrepancy is noted. Commissioner Speedboss, representing Prince George’s County, welcomed attendees alongside General Manager and CEO Keisha L. Powell and other staff. The hearing featured presentations on outreach efforts, a detailed CIP overview, public testimony, and a report on written comments. No formal votes were taken; the record remained open through September 11, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Darlene Cornelius (Capitol Heights) reported a persistent sewage smell in the Capitol Heights area, specifically at the Evelyn Cole senior center on Addison Road, and in her own home when using the dishwasher or washing machine. She also noted a consistent puddle/stream of water on Cling Log Street after underground piping work, asking who is responsible for repairs when the issue is past her property line. Commissioner Speedboss responded that WSSC Water would investigate both the sewage smell and the standing water, and clarified that WSSC Water is responsible for infrastructure in the public right-of-way.
  • Sharon McClevan (Suitland) raised a question about responsibility for maintenance and repairs on common property in a condominium. She described a dispute with her condominium association regarding boundaries for responsibility. Commissioner Speedboss offered to collect her address and investigate further.
  • No other speakers signed up or came forward during the open comment period.

Discussion Items

  • Opening Remarks and Outreach: Commissioner Speedboss opened the hearing. Chuck Brown, Director of Communications, described extensive outreach: bilingual inserts in customer bills (May–August), public notices in the Prince George’s County Post and Washington Post, social media promotion across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Blue Sky with paid advertising, a notice sent to 4,342 Constant Contact subscribers, a newsletter emailed to approximately 10,430 customers, and a letter from General Manager Powell to all elected officials.
  • General Manager Remarks: Keisha L. Powell highlighted the significance of the proposed $4.7 billion investment over six years (FY28–33), including $742.8 million in FY28. She emphasized the economic impact: every $1 million invested in water infrastructure creates 15–18 jobs. Over the past five years, WSSC Water contributed $704 million to businesses in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, with over $419 million going to local minority- and women-owned businesses. She also noted the passage of House Bill 1230 to modernize WSSC Water’s business participation framework.
  • CIP Overview by Finance Staff: Sunil Pandya (CIP Section Manager) and Claude Modise (Facility Design and Construction Section Manager) presented the proposed CIP. Key points included:
    • The preliminary FY28 capital budget is $742.8 million ($35.76 million less than FY27).
    • Consent decree and multi-use joint facilities account for 21.2% ($157.8 million) of the FY28 budget.
    • 65% of the FY28 budget is comprised of five programs: Reconstruction, Blue Plains, Metering Infrastructure Upgrade, Western Branch Water Resource Recovery Facility Process Train Improvements, and Lead Reduction/Replacement/Program Management.
    • The six-year CIP totals $4.71 billion, funded by $3.53 billion in bonds, $121 million in pay‑as‑you‑go, and $265 million in external funds.
    • No capital project was reduced to achieve the six-year total.
    • FY28 priorities: rehabilitating water supply treatment and storage facilities; investing in water resource recovery facilities; modernizing the support center and Anacostia Depot; compliance programs (lead/copper reduction, PFAS); meter infrastructure upgrade; and master planning/infrastructure investments.
    • By county: 41% ($305.1 million) in Prince George’s County, 31% ($231.6 million) bi‑county, and 28% ($206.1 million) in Montgomery County.
    • 86% of the FY28 budget is for system improvements, 11% for environmental regulations, and 3% for growth.
    • Mandated projects (consent decrees, multi‑use, public health/safety) account for 21% of both the FY28 and six‑year budgets.
    • Proposed FY28 includes 135 ongoing projects ($250.9 million), 68 new projects launching in FY28 ($131.8 million), and $360.1 million for initiatives such as lead reduction, PFAS, Blue Plains, master planning, and developer projects.
    • Project prioritization uses six weighted drivers; regulatory mandates and health/safety risk together represent nearly two‑thirds of the weight.
    • Highlighted projects: Sewer Reconstruction Program (No. 1), Trunk Sewer Reconstruction Program (No. 5), PFAS Management Strategy (No. 10), water main replacements (small diameter: 32 miles at $67 million; large diameter: 4 miles at $33.74 million), growth projects ($2.48 million), wastewater collection (Trunk Sewer Reconstruction $32.5 million for 6 miles; Sewer Reconstruction $57.19 million for 25 miles), nine wastewater pumping station rehabilitations (e.g., ACOLA $2.71 million, Anacostia 2 $6.1 million), Forest Heights and Spring Garden pump stations, upgrades at PUC ($13.7 million) and Western Branch ($50.68 million), Blue Plains ($151 million – treats ~62% of WSSC Water’s wastewater; over 28% of FY28 CIP is for Blue Plains and Metawoman projects), innovation/investment priority category ($108 million) including Energy Performance ($11.68 million), Lead Reduction ($31.3 million), and Water Meter Infrastructure Upgrade ($53.24 million for 53,000 meters), and general facilities (Anacostia Depot reconfiguration $21.94 million; Support Center upgrades $15.43 million).
  • Report on Written Comments: Sunil Pandya reported that no written correspondence had been received by the date of the hearing. Any submissions received by the close of business on September 11, 2026, would be included in the commission packet and transmitted to the counties.

Key Outcomes

  • The public hearing was adjourned by Commissioner Speedboss. No votes were taken.
  • The public hearing record remains open until noon on September 11, 2026, for written comments (via email to budgetgroup@wsscwater.com or mail to WSSC Water Budget Division, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707).
  • All testimony, transcripts, and any written comments received by the deadline will be transmitted to Prince George’s County and Montgomery County governments by October 1, 2026, as required by state law.
  • WSSC Water staff committed to investigating the sewage odor and standing water issues raised by Darlene Cornelius, and to following up with Sharon McClevan regarding condominium property line responsibility.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. On behalf of WSSC Water and its staff, I welcome you to this public hearing on our draft proposed capital improvements program, also known as the CIP for fiscal years 2028 through 2033. I am Commissioner Regina Speedboss, representing Prince George's County. Joining me this evening is our general manager and CEO, Keisha L. Powell, and several other WSSC Water staff members. Before going further, I will ask our communications director, Chuck Brown, to brief us on the outreach efforts for tonight's hearing. Thank you, Commissioner Speedboss again, Chuck Brown, Director of Communications for WSSC Water. I'm pleased to highlight our extensive community outreach efforts to encourage public participation and promote transparency for tonight's public hearing. WSSC Water used a variety of methods to alert and inform our customers about tonight's hearing and last night's hearing in Montgomery County. A bilingual insert was placed in all customer bills starting in May and continuing through August. A public notice was printed in both the Prince George's County Post and the Washington Post in early August. We've been promoting these meetings heavily throughout all of our social media channels Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blue Sky, and that includes paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram. On August 31st, we sent out notice of the hearing to our 4,342 constant contact subscribers. We also have a newsletter that we email out to about 10,430 customers. What are we up to? Where we provided information about tonight and last night's hearing. That goes out to stakeholders, media, and uh key elected officials about tonight's hearing and of course last night's hearing. Um elected officials, a letter was transmitted from General Manager Powell to all elected officials announcing both hearings prior to tonight's meeting. And with that, I'll turn it back over to you, Commissioner Speedboss. Thank you, Chuck. I will now ask CIP section manager Sunil Pendat Pendeya from our finance department and facility and design and construction section manager Claude Modese to provide a brief overview of the CIP. Uh Commissioner Speedboss, is it okay if I give some opening remarks? That is that is fine. Let's make we'll do that. GM Powell, would you like to make any remarks before we begin the presentation? Yes, ma'am. I'll just kick us off and then turn it over to the team to present the CIP. Um thank you again, Commissioner Speedboss, for being here and for offering me the opportunity uh to share some thoughts before the presentation. Tonight we're talking about a significant investment in the future of our region. 4.7 billion dollars over six years from fiscal year 2028 through fiscal year 2033, including 742.8 million in proposed capital investments in fiscal year 2028 alone. These investments are about much more than pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities. Infrastructure is the foundation of public health, environmental protection, and a strong economy. And the work we do today will help ensure that WSSC Water can continue providing safe, reliable water and wastewater services for generations to come. Our capital program is designed to deliver sustained and transformative change across the communities we serve. And that transformation creates tremendous opportunity, not just for WSSC water, but for Maryland businesses, workers, and the local communities where we invest. We know that every 1 million dollars invested in water infrastructure creates approximately 15 to 18 jobs. This is an economic impact comparable to investments in clean energy, health care, and defense. So when we invest in water, we are also investing in jobs, economic development, and opportunity. I was reminded of that recently at last week's Tap Into Business event, where we brought local businesses together to talk about how we can partner to maximize the opportunities created by our investments. That commitment to create opportunities is rooted in a simple but powerful belief, and that is WSSC Water is an anchor institution, and the work we perform serves as a building block to uplift our communities and businesses. In fact, over the past five years, our work has contributed $704 million to businesses in Prince George's and Montgomery counties, including more than $419 million with local minority and women-owned businesses. And with the recent passage of House Bill $1230, we have an opportunity to further modernize WSSC Water's business participation framework and strengthen opportunities for local and Maryland businesses and workers to benefit from the billions of dollars we invest in critical infrastructure. There is a tremendous amount of work ahead of us and a tremendous amount of opportunity. With that, I'll turn it over to my colleagues who will walk you through the details of our capital improvement program and the investments we are proposing to drive sustained and transformative change. Thank you. Thank you, General Manager Powell. For the record, my name is Sunil Pandier. I am the Capital Project Section Manager. This slide shows our service area. We highlight the location of our water filtration plans and water resource recover facilities on the map to the right.

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