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WSSC considers water rate changes

By Kristi King

WASHINGTON – A local utility is proposing major changes to how it charges its more than 1.5 million customers for water.

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission wants to make less of a customer’s bill dependent on by-the-gallon usage.

“It’s a recognition that before the first drop of water gets to one of our customers, we have to get the water there. Whether you’re using 1 gallon or 1,000 gallons, we have to get it there through our pipe system. And likewise we need to take it away through the sewer pipes,” says Chris Cullinan, acting chief financial officer for WSSC.

Cullinan says a graduated fee structure based on the size of meters is more equitable than charging by the gallon. Customers with the same size meter would pay the same fee. Smaller, neighborhood-sized meters, for example, would be charged less than larger, industrial-sized meters.

Proposed changes also would re-calibrate each customer’s account maintenance fee, which hasn’t changed in 25 years.

“Any new fees, any changes to the fees and changes to the rates will go through our regular budget process culminating in their adoption in the spring of next year and would not go into effect until July 2015,” Cullinan says.

Public meetings on the proposed changes are scheduled in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties:

  • 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the Stella B. Werner Building, 7th Floor Council Hearing Room, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850
  • 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12 at the Prince George’s County RMS Building, Room 308, 1400 McCormick Drive, Largo, MD 20774

Customers who’d like to speak at the meetings should call 301-206-8110 before the day of the meeting.

Written statements to be added to the public record can be sent to BudgetGroup@wsscwater.com or mailed to Letitia Carolina-Powell, Acting Budget Group Leader, WSSC, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707.

WSSC is looking for ways to stabilize revenue sources that aren’t dependent on water by the gallon rates.

Financial demands on WSSC are mounting as the utility grapples with an aging pipe system. Nearly one-fourth of the system is more than 50 years old.

WSSC also is among water systems nationwide now dealing with a type of pipe that is vulnerable to failure. WSSC has 145 miles of this pipe, called prestr essed concrete cylinder pipe.

Editor’s note: Changes have been made to this story regarding details about charging by the gallon.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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