The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) today released its Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report, which highlights how the Department is dedicating its resources to serve the residents of Baltimore. 

“The publication of an annual report shows how DPW is working to serve Baltimore residents and other stakeholders, and brings greater transparency to how we are spending the money generated by taxpayers and our water customers,” said DPW Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E.

The annual report features DPW's efforts to repair the City's sewer infrastructure with the $430 million Headworks project, and to protect the Baltimore region’s drinking water by installing underground tanks with the $137 million Ashburton Tank project. In addition, the annual report features DPW’s collaboration with the Baltimore Police Department and other City agencies to combat crime as part of the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Initiative. 

The 24-page publication helps to inform stakeholders how the agency managed its budget during FY 2018. Due to the size and complexity of water and wastewater construction projects, DPW’s capital budget reached $856.8 million during FY 2018. Spending on water projects ($358 million), wastewater projects ($396.1 million), and stormwater projects ($100.8 million) consumed the majority of the FY 2018 capital budget. 

“Fiscal year 2018 was a year of progress. We are no longer allowing aged water and sewer infrastructure to limit us; instead we are investing intelligently in Baltimore,” Director Chow said. “These infrastructure improvements will secure the Baltimore region’s drinking water and prevent wastewater from damaging our environment and properties.”

The release of the annual report comes ahead of “DPW in the Community” meetings that are being scheduled throughout the City starting in November. At these special community meetings, DPW will share pertinent information about projects, services and programs and offer assistance with water bills and sanitation issues.

A downloadable version of the annual report can be found on the DPW website. Copies of the report are being distributed to community centers and libraries. Citizens may also obtain the report by contacting the DPW Communications and Community Affairs Division at 410-545-6541.