Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) is urging conservation as summer heat drives daily water usage above 600 million gallons, straining the city’s infrastructure.
DWU delivers nearly 400 million gallons daily on average, but summer consumption spikes put extraordinary pressure on aging infrastructure. The increased demand on pipelines is causing more frequent water main breaks and leaks, prompting DWU to deploy eight crews working around the clock to handle repairs across the city.
While crews race to fix breaks, some customers face brief service interruptions. The utility notifies affected residents and businesses by leaving door hangers, though not after 9 p.m.
To reduce strain on the system, DWU asks residents to follow the city’s year-round twice-weekly watering schedule. The conservation ordinance prohibits sprinkler use between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April through October.
Residents can sign up for free weekly watering advice and request complimentary irrigation system evaluations through the city’s water conservation website.
DWU also urges property owners to check sprinkler systems for leaks and malfunctioning heads. Water runoff onto sidewalks, driveways, and streets violates city ordinances.
Anyone spotting unusual water flows should call 3-1-1 immediately. Emergency crews will assess and prioritize repairs based on severity.
The utility invests $140-160 million annually in infrastructure upgrades. These efforts have reduced water main repairs from 37 per 100 miles in fiscal year 2011-12 to 19 in 2023-24.