Baltimore County water rates to rise 10 percent

Officials: Money needed to improve aging system

Baltimore County residents will see a 10 percent jump in water and fire service rates beginning July 1, under a deal approved by the city's spending board on Wednesday.

City officials say they need the extra money to fund repairs and improvements to the aging pipes and pumping systems and to bring them into compliance with stricter federal guidelines.

The city, which manages the water system for the county, recently raised water and sewer rates by 9 percent for city residents and public works officials warned that rates would continue to rise for the next several years.

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