Dallas, TX · plumbing problem
High water bill in Dallas: DWU leak adjustments
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
In Dallas, customers are responsible for repairs and for all water that passes the meter, even from a leak. Dallas Water Utilities may grant a leak adjustment when a leak caused a substantial jump in use: excess consumption is billed at the lowest rate, for up to three months, no more than once in 12 months, if you apply within 90 days of the repair with a receipt.
What's different in Dallas
Repair costs and water loss are the customer's responsibility, including all consumption during a leak. [1]
An approved adjustment covers at most three months, and customers may receive only one adjustment in a 12-month period. [1]
Excess consumption above normal is recalculated at the lowest rate on the rate scale; the program doesn't reimburse plumbing repair costs. [1]
Requests must be submitted within 90 days of the repair date with the repair receipt or paid invoice, by mail, fax, phone (214-670-3178) or email. [1]
What the adjustment does and doesn't do
| Does | Doesn't |
|---|---|
| Re-rates excess use at the lowest tier | Erase the leaked water |
| Cover up to three months | Apply more than once in 12 months |
| Need a repair receipt within 90 days | Pay for the plumber |
Find the leak first
- Meter test with all fixtures and irrigation off.
- Dye test toilets.
- Walk irrigation zones while they run.
- Feel tile floors for warm spots; see signs of a slab leak.
Related
See leak detection and Dallas drain cleaning.
You may also be dealing with
- SymptomSigns of a hidden leak
- SymptomToilet keeps running
Common questions
Do Dallas customers pay for water lost to a leak?
Yes, but DWU may re-rate excess use at the lowest rate through a leak adjustment.
How many months can a Dallas leak adjustment cover?
Up to three months.
How often can I get a Dallas leak adjustment?
Once in any 12-month period.
What's the deadline for a Dallas leak adjustment?
Within 90 days of the repair date.
Does Dallas reimburse plumbing repair costs?
No, the program only adjusts the water charge.
What proof does DWU need?
The repair receipt or a paid-in-full invoice.
How do I contact DWU about a leak adjustment?
Phone 214-670-3178, email [email protected], fax or mail.
How is a Dallas leak adjustment calculated?
Consumption above your norm is charged at the lowest rate on the scale.
Are irrigation leaks common in Dallas?
Yes; broken heads and lines are a frequent cause of summer spikes.
Can a slab leak cause a Dallas high bill?
Yes, and clay soil movement makes slab leaks common in older homes.
More plumbing help in Dallas
- Water Line Repair in DallasDallas Water Utilities' service line inventory: how materials were identified, letters to 225,000 unknown lines, and the GIS lookup.
- Water Heater Replacement in DallasReplacing a water heater in Dallas: why a permit is required even for like-for-like swaps, who can obtain it, the homestead homeowner exception, and the inspection.
- Drain Cleaning in DallasDrain cleaning in Dallas: why grease drives clogs, the city's Cease the Grease program and 28 grease drop-off stations, and when cabling or jetting fits.
- Backflow Testing in DallasDallas backflow rules: lawn irrigation assemblies don't need annual tests, only when new, repaired or replaced; high-hazard assemblies need annual registered tests.
- Toilet Installation in DallasDallas Water Utilities' New Throne for Your Home: up to two free high-efficiency toilets or $90 rebates for replacing pre-1994 toilets. Check current status.
- Frozen Pipe Repair in DallasFrozen pipes in Dallas: DWU's freeze prep, the private shutoff you're responsible for, required sprinkler freeze sensors, and what to do in a water emergency.
- Water bill suddenly high: the full guideWhat makes a water bill jump: running toilets, irrigation, hidden leaks, a billing estimate or a rate change. How to sort them out in under an hour.
- Plumbing in DallasLocal water, housing and climate conditions, and the calls Dallas homes need most.
How other cities handle it
- High water bill in San Antonio? Find the leak, then ask SAWS for an adjustmentA high SAWS bill usually means a leak. How to find it, which leaks SAWS reviews for a credit, the 60-day deadline after repair, and the paperwork it wants.
- High water bill in Atlanta: leaks, meters and account adjustmentsA high Atlanta water bill: what the Department of Watershed Management can adjust under city code, why private-line leaks are often the owner's, and how to prepare.
- High water bill in Miami: leaks and WASD adjustmentsA high Miami-Dade water bill: how WASD handles leak adjustments, why monthly accounts only get a sewer credit, the 60-day review, and how to find the leak.
- High water bills in Chicago: metered vs. unmetered homesChicago water bills: unmetered single-family homes and two-flats can get a free meter through MeterSave with a 7-year bill guarantee. And how to find a leak.
- High water bill in Houston: leak adjustments under city codeHouston's leak adjustment: credits for leaks from freezes, corrosion or wear, 100% to 50% by repair speed, and the paperwork needed.
Sources (1)
- Dallas Water Utilities, Request a Leak Adjustment · checked 2026-10-03