Baltimore City Public Works officials have rejected the bid of a firm community and government transparency advocates feared would use a consulting contract to take over the city’s water system.
Instead, the officials announced Wednesday afternoon they will enter into negotiations with London-based PA Consulting to examine the operations of the Montebello and Ashburton water filtration plants and the Back River and Patapsco wastewater treatment plants and make recommendations for improvements.
The officials described PA as a company with expertise in water, energy and government and public services among other areas.
Veolia North America, a Paris-based conglomerate known in Baltimore for running taxi companies and the Charm City Circulator, was the other bidder for the contract. Advocates charged Veolia have a track record of raising rates, mismanagement and treating workers badly. They also claimed the company would use the consulting contract as a wedge to get control of the city’s water works.
It is unclear when negotiations will start. Any agreement PA Consulting reaches with Public Works will go to the Board of Estimates for final approval, which is expected sometime early next year.