Houston, TX · plumbing problem
High water bill in Houston: leak adjustments under city code
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
Under Houston City Code Section 47-74, customers can get a leak adjustment credit for water lost through an 'excusable defect' in their water line, such as a freeze, corrosion, settlement or wear, but not negligence. The credit depends on how fast you repair: 100% within 30 days of the leak starting, 75% within 60 days, 50% after that. Excess wastewater charges are credited in full.
What's different in Houston
Section 47-74 allows a leak adjustment credit for water lost through an excusable defect in the customer's line: a leak caused by city personnel or contractors, freezing weather, settlement, corrosion, wear or accident, not negligence. [1]
The credit is 100% if repaired within 30 days after the leak began, 75% within 60 days, and 50% after more than 60 days. [1]
Excess wastewater charges are credited at 100%, since leaked water usually doesn't go down the sewer. [1]
Applications need documentation of the repair date, address, type of repair and cost, such as a plumber's bill, parts receipt or signed statement; Customer Account Services is 713-371-1400. [1]
Speed pays
Because the credit drops after 30 and 60 days, the moment you see a bill spike or a meter moving with everything off, find and fix the leak. After a hard freeze, check exposed pipes, hose bibs and the line in the yard right away; see what to do after a burst pipe.
Excusable or not?
| Leak | Likely treatment |
|---|---|
| Pipe split in a freeze | Excusable |
| Corroded line under the slab | Excusable |
| Toilet left running for months | May be treated as neglected maintenance |
| Leak caused by a city contractor | Excusable |
Finding Houston leaks
Slab homes hide leaks; see signs of a slab leak and leak detection.
You may also be dealing with
- SymptomSigns of a hidden leak
- SymptomToilet keeps running
Common questions
Which Houston code section covers leak adjustments?
Section 47-74 of the City Code.
What is an excusable leak in Houston?
One from city work, freezing weather, settlement, corrosion, wear or accident, not customer negligence.
How much credit does Houston give for a leak?
100% if repaired within 30 days, 75% within 60 days, 50% after that.
Does Houston credit sewer charges after a leak?
Yes, excess wastewater charges are credited at 100%.
What proof does Houston want for a leak adjustment?
Repair date, address, type of repair and cost, via a plumber's bill, receipt or signed statement.
Who do I call about a Houston water bill?
Customer Account Services, 713-371-1400.
Are freeze-damaged pipes covered by Houston's adjustment?
Freezing weather is listed as an excusable cause.
Does a running toilet qualify for a Houston adjustment?
Leaks from neglected maintenance may not qualify as excusable.
Why repair a Houston leak quickly?
The credit shrinks from 100% to 75% to 50% the longer it takes.
Can I repair the leak myself and still get credit?
Yes, with a parts receipt or signed statement describing the repair.
More plumbing help in Houston
- Water Line Repair in HoustonHouston's service line inventory: no lead lines found so far, most lines still listed as unknown, the notices sent to customers, and how to check yours.
- Water Heater Replacement in HoustonReplacing a water heater in Houston: the required plumbing permit, the registered master plumber rule, permit fees, inspection.
- Drain backing up in HoustonWhy Houston drains back up: grease and wipes cause 70% of the city's sewer overflows, and overflows double when it turns cold. Symptoms, safe checks and fixes.
- Backflow Testing in HoustonHouston backflow testing: testing companies must register with the city, testers need TCEQ licenses, and gauges need annual calibration reports filed with Houston.
- Sewer Line Replacement in HoustonReplacing a sewer line in Houston: a registered master plumber must pull the permit, how the homestead permit differs, minimum fees and inspections.
- Frozen Pipe Repair in HoustonFrozen pipes in Houston: Houston Public Works' prep tips, why it has advised against dripping faucets (pumps, not towers), and shutting off and draining instead.
- 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 HoustonLocal water, housing and climate conditions, and the calls Houston 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 Dallas: DWU leak adjustmentsDallas leak adjustments: customers pay for leaked water, but DWU can bill excess use at the lowest rate for up to three months, once a year.
Sources (1)
- City of Houston, Leak Adjustment Request · checked 2026-10-03