Baltimore voters will weigh Question H: new Dept. of Water and Wastewater

Baltimore voters will weigh Question H on Nov. 3, 2026: a City Charter amendment that would create a standalone Department of Water and Wastewater, supervised and directed by a Director. The measure would transfer responsibility for overseeing Baltimore’s water supply system and wastewater system from the Department of Public Works (DPW). If voters approve it, the change becomes effective Jan. 1, 2029.

The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) says it is making the ballot-question text available for public comment until July 30, 2026 at 5pm ET. SBE also notes that, for some petition-based questions, whether a question ultimately qualifies for the ballot can depend on signature verification that may not be complete yet.

What Question H does (in plain language)

SBE’s summary of Question H describes three core effects:

• Creates a new Department of Water and Wastewater, supervised and directed by a Director.
• Transfers from DPW to the new Department the responsibility to oversee the City’s water supply system and wastewater system (plus related duties).
• Removes from the Charter the requirement that bureaus within DPW must be established or abolished by City ordinance.

Voting FOR Question H brings about those changes; voting AGAINST leaves the current Charter language governing water and wastewater systems in place.

The City Council measure behind the ballot

This ballot question is tied to Baltimore City Council action on City Council Bill 26-0202, a Charter amendment labeled in the official record as “Department of Water and Wastewater.”

What structurally changes: DPW bureau to a standalone department

Rather than keeping water and wastewater governance inside DPW, Question H would establish a separate executive department focused on water and wastewater oversight, with a Director leading the new structure.

Powers and duties the City Charter packet spotlights

The June 10, 2026 hearing packet for Bill 26-0202 highlights several prescriptive additions—meaning the Charter would spell out more specific authorities for the new Department, including:

• Charges for use and related work: The packet describes a requirement that the Department make charges connected to water/wastewater facilities and related activities, including regulating, making, or repairing private water or wastewater works.
• Protection of the water supply: It describes protection authority for the City’s water supply by the Police Commissioner, including assigning police officers for that purpose.
• Non-payment enforcement tools: The packet describes Director authority to take actions because of non-payment of a fee or charge, including turning off and discontinuing the supply of water and setting up means for alternative payments.
• Supervision when public works intersect department duties: It describes Director supervision on projects related to construction or alteration of public works that impact the Department’s powers and duties.
• Correcting or condemning obstructions: It describes giving the Department authority to correct or condemn properties that obstruct the Department’s ability to carry out its duties.

Budget and administration “so what”

The packet includes a fiscal-note caution for voters: the amendment itself includes no new express fiscal requirements. But it also warns that creating a new, distinct Department may require additional funding beyond what’s currently required to operate the Bureau of Water and Wastewater within DPW—specifically noting that certain administrative expenditures could need duplication.

So while the ballot question is primarily about government structure, the real-world cost and staffing impacts would depend on how the City sets up the new Department after approval.

What to watch after Nov. 3 (if voters approve)

If Question H passes, residents should keep an eye on the transition leading into the Jan. 1, 2029 effective date—especially around how the City implements the Charter authorities described in the packet, including how charges and non-payment enforcement are handled, and how day-to-day oversight and accountability are organized after the move from DPW.

Sources

• Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE): Nov. 3, 2026 ballot-question text (Question H: Department of Water and Wastewater)
• Baltimore City Council Legistar: File 26-0202 (Charter Amendment – Department of Water and Wastewater)
• CBS Baltimore: reporting on the proposed standalone water/wastewater oversight department