Dallas Water Utilities: Providing Clean Drinking Water to the Community

Introduction to Dallas Water Utilities

(June 12, 2025) Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) is a local and regional provider of drinking water, serving over 2.6 million people in Dallas and 27 surrounding communities. The water system consists of over 5,077 miles of water mains ranging in size from 0.75 to 108-inches in diameter. The service area of the pipeline system extends approximately 700 square miles. DWU has made significant investments in leak detection, condition assessments and pipeline replacement to reduce water loss. The Leak Detection Program employs multiple advanced technologies to identify non-surfacing and hard-to-detect leaks, ensuring full coverage of the water system every 2.5 years.

Water Loss Reduction Efforts

DWU audits and reports water loss annually as part of regulatory compliance with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). In 2024, total real water losses decreased by over 1.6 million gallons (13.77 gallons per connection per day) as compared to 2023. These reductions are due in part to major efforts focused on replacing and repairing aging pipelines. DWU typically replaces approximately 44 miles of water pipelines each year and has replaced about 440 miles over the last 10 years. In addition, approximately 3,000 pipeline repairs were performed in the last fiscal year.

Prioritizing Repairs

Repairs, when needed, are prioritized based on various factors including:

• Unplanned customer service interruptions

• Severity of water loss (emergency and scheduled repairs)

• Resource requirements (staffing, equipment, road closures, paving needs, etc.)

• Customer impact due to scheduled water service interruption (holidays, events, etc.)

• Inclement weather (freezing temperatures or extreme heat)

Reporting Water Leaks

DWU offers enhanced reporting opportunities that allow customers to report water leaks through Dallas 311 online or on the mobile app available for download on iOS and Android devices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dallas Water Utilities is committed to providing clean drinking water to the community while reducing water loss through leak detection, condition assessments, and pipeline replacement. The efforts of DWU have resulted in significant reductions in water loss, and the utility continues to prioritize repairs and replacements to ensure a reliable and efficient water system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often does DWU replace water pipelines?

A: DWU typically replaces approximately 44 miles of water pipelines each year.

Q: How can I report a water leak?

A: You can report a water leak through Dallas 311 online or on the mobile app available for download on iOS and Android devices.

Q: What factors does DWU consider when prioritizing repairs?

A: DWU considers factors such as unplanned customer service interruptions, severity of water loss, resource requirements, customer impact, and inclement weather when prioritizing repairs.

Q: How many miles of water pipelines has DWU replaced in the last 10 years?

A: DWU has replaced about 440 miles of water pipelines in the last 10 years.

Q: How many pipeline repairs were performed in the last fiscal year?

A: Approximately 3,000 pipeline repairs were performed in the last fiscal year.