Proposed water and sewer rate increase in Crisfield

CRISFIELD, Md. – The City of Crisfield’s is considering an increase for both water and sewer rates.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 would raise water rates by 12% and sewer rates by 7%.

“The water rates are just another thing that’s putting pressure on businesses and homeowners in Crisfield,” said Waters Edge Cafe Owner Danny Nelson. “An increase on them again is just adding to it all.”

“My bills are over $500 a month, now they’re going to be over $600 a month.”

Nelson is one of the many people opposed to the increase in water and sewer rates the City of Crisfield is proposing in its annual budget.

“What I would like to see is to quit putting a band aid on an open wound, the water system in Crisfield is ancient, it’s just in dire straits, it needs to be replaced,” said Nelson.

Nelson said he would like to see improvements to the city’s water and drainage system.

“Crisfield should be a tourist town, we should be focused on tourism and bringing business in and then the water bills won’t matter that much if we’re making enough money that we don’t have to scrimp and save, it would just be easier on all of us,” he said.

Andrew Elliott with Captain’s Carry Out on West Main Street also would like to see aging infrastructure be dealt with.

“I don’t like it to be honest. Water and sewer rates are going up again, meanwhile wages are flat and public accountability is no where to be found, we’re being charged more for a basic human right while aging infrastructure and mismanagement get swept under the rug,” said Elliott.

The city estimates these increases would generate an extra $139,000.

We reached out to the City Mayor but did not hear back.