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.

Your meter is read monthly by a trained meter reader who uses a handheld computer. The computer will reject any unusual reading that is out of your normal usage pattern. This feature ensures that meters are read accurately, resulting in DWU's 99.89 percent meter reading accuracy rate. After the information is entered into the server, the meter reading is checked against the narrower standards of your historical use, referred to as a pre-bill audit. If the reading appears too high or too low, another meter reading will be taken before your bill is prepared. If you ever have a question about your meter reading or your water bill, please call us at (214) 651-1441. 

Understanding your City of Dallas utility bill

Water Charges

Water meters are read monthly to determine how much water a home or business consumes. DWU rates consist of a customer usage charge. You can view the current DWU Monthly Payment Rates. Funds from this charge support the delivery of high-quality supply of safe drinking water. Use the DWU Calculator to estimate your monthly water charges.

Wastewater (Sewer) Charges

Wastewater volume is based on actual water usage or the winter average, whichever is less. Funds from this charge support wastewater collection and treatment services.

Sanitation Charges

The Department of Sanitation Services assesses a monthly sanitation fee to maintain the cost of administering solid waste services. For more information on the sanitation fee please visit dallas.gov/sanitation.

Stormwater Charges

A monthly stormwater fee is assessed to residential and non-residential customers to maintain and improve citywide stormwater drainage. The fee is based on the impervious area of the property. To access and review your stormwater fees, visit http://dallasfeefinder.com and input your address or Parcel ID for more details. 

Environmental Cleanup Fee

Effective October 1, a new monthly environmental cleanup fee of $3.00 will be included on all City of Dallas utility accounts for the launch of Clean Sweep!, an initiative that supports clean neighborhoods, streets, public rights-of-way and waterways. The fee will fund litter removal, mowing and nuisance abatement on public rights-of-way, homeless encampment cleanup, additional collection of debris after severe storms, zero waste (source reduction and waste diversion), disposal of household hazardous waste and dead animal removal.

For questions regarding Dallas Water Utilities, please visit dallas.gov/water. For more information on Sanitation Services, please visit dallas.gov/sanitation. Service requests may be submitted online or on the Dallas 311 mobile app available for download on iOS and Android devices.

Click the link below to help better understand the charges seen on your monthly utility bill.

How to Understand Your Utility Bill _ Graphic.pdf

Click on the link below to view the bill insert detailing the rate fee increases.

DWU Utility Fees Insert 2024.pdf

Occasionally Water Use is Estimated

Sometimes we have to estimate a meter reading. This happens when a meter is covered by a car, brush or limbs, ice, etc. When these types of situations exist, your water use estimate is based on your past water use. Any overestimate or underestimate will be corrected automatically on your next bill. You can help us serve you better by keeping your meter uncovered and easy to reach.

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.

Leak Adjustment Program

Click HERE for information on the City of Dallas Leak Adjustment Program.