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Conservation

Water Quality

Helping Others

​Wastewater Use is Estimated:

Because it is not cost effective to meter wastewater use, DWU estimates it. To estimate wastewater use, DWU uses your winter months average (the average of your water billed in December, January, February and March). However, if a customer's current month's actual water use is less than the winter months average, the customer's sewer (wastewater) bill is based on the actual water use. How Your Residential Winter Months Wastewater Average is Calculated: Your water use for bills issued during the months of December, January, February and March is averaged. The wastewater usage charge is based on an average of the amount of water you used during the previous winter months or your current month's water use, whichever is less.

How Your Residential Winter Months Wastewater Average is Calculated:

Your water use for bills issued during the months of December, January, February and March is averaged. Monthly Bills: The monthly rate for water service includes a customer charge and a usage charge. The water usage charge is for the amount of water you use during the month. The wastewater usage charge is based on an average of the amount of water you used during the previous winter months or your current month's water use, whichever is less.

Billing:

Your water bill includes DWU's charges for water, wastewater (sewer) and a storm water quality fee. The bill also includes the City of Dallas Street and Sanitation Department's charge for removal of garbage, rubbish, brush and bulky items, etc. State law allows taxation on the sanitation fee. If you have a question about your water, wastewater or storm water quality charges, call DWU's Customer Service Division at (214) 651-1441. If you have a question about your sanitation fee, call Street and Sanitation Department's Customer Service at 670-8613.

Billing Cycle:

DWU has divided Dallas into 21 geographical areas -- one for each working day of the month. Where you live determines the date your meter is read, the date your bill is mailed and the date your payment is due.

Monthly Bills:

The monthly rate for water service includes a customer charge and a usage charge. The customer charge will always appear on your bill regardless of how much or how little water you use. It is a service charge that helps recover the cost of meter reading and maintaining the water distribution and wastewater collection systems. The water usage charge is for the amount of water you use during the month. The wastewater usage charge is based on an average of the amount of water you used during the previous winter months or your current month's water use, whichever is less. The best way to save money on your water bill is to conserve water.

Leak Adjustments:

The City of Dallas may provide for a leak adjustment where a water leak has caused a substantial increase in water consumption. The program may allow for one adjustment per twelve-month period - for a maximum adjustment of three months, where the cost per unit for water above the average usage will be reduced by providing for excess water usage associated with the leak to be billed at the lowest applicable rate of the rate scale.  This practice will apply solely to the month(s) adjusted. 

This does not apply to wastewater or sewer leaks. 

Please note: The submission of a request does not guarantee an adjustment. Customers are responsible for all water loss even during the event of a hidden or concealed leak. Please continue making your regular monthly payments during the review period.

Water consumption will be reviewed once the last billing cycle has been recorded - based on the repair date. This process may take up to 45 days. 
If an adjustment can be made, consumption will be adjusted accordingly, and an updated invoice with an adjustment letter is mailed to customer. For non-qualifying requests, a denial letter with explanation is mailed to customer.

Please ensure requests are submitted within ninety days of repair, are legible and clear. 

Required information:

• Date repairs were completed 
• Detailed description of the repairs 
• Address where repairs were made 
• Account number associated with the leak 

For multi-metered accounts, please be sure to indicate the meter number associated with the leak.

 This program is not intended to reimburse customers for plumbing repair costs. All repairs must be completed for consideration of an adjustment. No future estimated repair dates, proposals, or estimated invoices will be accepted. 

Requests may be mailed, faxed, emailed, or dropped-off as follows:

Leak Repair Affidavit (English)
Leak Repair Affidavit (Spanish)

How is the adjustment calculated?

1. Average usage is determined by reviewing the account history 
2. Average usage costs are calculated according to the applicable rates
3. Excess usage (all usage above the average) is then calculated at the lowest rate of the current rate scale