DWU Leak Detection and Repair/Replacement Programs
(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.
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. Repairs, when needed, are prioritized based on various factors including:
- Unplanned customer service interruptions
- Fire protection
- 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)
- Water quality concerns
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.
