Beginning this month, DC Water will partner with District of Columbia Councilmembers to host Town Hall meetings across the District. In these meetings, DC Water General Manager George Hawkins demonstrates how rates are set and what rates pay for. He also addresses DC Water’s environmental programs, future water and sewer projects and issues facing local communities.

“These meetings are important because they give us the opportunity to share with customers why it’s important we do the work we have planned, and how that affects their rates,” said General Manager Hawkins. “In addition, we bring a team of DC Water personnel to help residents with individual concerns related to their service or billing.”

Town Hall meetings will be held in each ward and feature information on water quality, construction projects, employment, and customer service. Specific discussion topics will include water and sewer rates, drinking water, infrastructure, job opportunities and efforts to help clean local rivers. Mr. Hawkins will personally invite many DC residents to the meetings through a robocall of individuals who have contacted DC Water with questions or concerns in the past.

All Town Hall meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. Locations will be posted online at dcwater.com/rates. Dates are as follows:
• Ward 1: April 18
• Ward 2: March 14 School Without Walls, 2130 G Street, N.W.
• Ward 3: TBD
• Ward 4: April 11
• Ward 5: April 30
• Ward 6: TBD
• Ward 7: April 4
• Ward 8: April 9

A public hearing regarding the 2014 proposed rates will be held on May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Washington, DC Council of Governments, in the first floor training room, 777 North Capitol Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20002. For more information on the public hearing, please contact Linda Manley, Secretary to the Board, at 202-787-2332. For more information on the Town Hall meetings, please call Emanuel Briggs, Manager, Community Outreach at 202-787-2003.