Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) operates as one of the largest municipal water systems in the country, managing just over 5,000 miles of water mains ranging in size from 0.75-inch to 108-inch diameter and covering a service area of approximately 700 square miles.
The sustained heat continues to drive high water demand. Daily usage, normally just over 400 million gallons a day, has remained above 600 million gallons a day throughout the month of August and through the first week of September. These higher demands, increased velocities, and dry expansive soil conditions are contributing to increased breaks and leaks across the drinking water system.
Repairs are prioritized by severity and impacts including safety, property damage, water loss, traffic disruptions and system criticality. DWU crews and contractors are working extended hours 24/7 to address system repairs. DWU has also activated a repair contract to provide additional support to help address the increase in water main breaks experienced this summer.
Over the past three months, DWU crews have repaired 310 main line breaks and leaks, 377 service line leaks, and 233 hydrants. For your reference, every leak reported by residents or identified as part of our leak detection programs, are assigned a priority which is outlined below:
Priority 4 – Emergency response. DWU crews respond to Priority 4 emergencies immediately, and these repairs are typically completed within 24 hours. Assigned for risk to health/safety, property damage, traffic impact, impact to a critical facility, a large diameter transmission line, active surface flow, customer impact and/or water volume.
Priority 3 – Planned repair. DWU generally completes Priority 3 repairs within about a week once scheduling is determined. Emergency response always takes precedence. Priority 3 leaks are planned repairs with meaningful impact. These are leaks that may not present an immediate safety hazard but still involve significant water loss or higher flow rates. Priority 3 leaks often include cases where water is actively running, spreading, or visibly worsening but not yet rising to emergency levels. Because of the volume of water involved, these leaks get scheduled ahead of minor seepage or low‑visibility leaks.
Priority 2 – Queued, minor. Confirmed leak, no impact beyond a wet spot; not actively scheduled.
Priority 1 – Queued, low-visibility. Confirmed or suspected leak, minor, low-impact location.
DWU takes every reported leak seriously but must work the emergency and higher-impact planned repairs ahead of priority 1 and 2 leaks. Each report triggers an immediate field assessment, and the repair priority is determined by current conditions at the site.
DWU encourages residents to call 3-1-1, under the category water main leak/break, so staff can assess as quickly as possible. Customers may also report water leaks through Dallas 311 online or through the Dallas 311 mobile application, available for download on iOS and Android devices.