Last month, Baltimore voters overwhelmingly approved my charter amendment to ban privatizing our water and sewer systems and to declare them as permanently public assets of the city. In passing Question E on the ballot, we became the first major city in the country to prevent profiteering corporations from taking over our water. We did this because in Baltimore we know water is a necessity and a vital human right.

With this momentous victory, the public has entrusted me and my fellow public officials with providing the leadership and stewardship to solve the water problems currently confronting our city. I seek to honor that duty by offering a comprehensive water package: the Water Accountability and Equity Act, which was introduced in the Baltimore City Council on Dec. 3.