DWU reports rise in water main breaks due to heat and high demand

Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) has reported an increase in water main breaks and leaks across its service area, citing sustained extreme heat and high water demands as primary contributing factors. The utility manages just over 5,000 miles of water mains ranging from 0.75-inch to 108-inch diameter across approximately 700 square miles.

Daily water usage, which typically averages just over 400 million gallons, has remained above 600 million gallons daily throughout August and into the first week of September. DWU states that these higher demands, increased flow velocities, and dry expansive soil conditions are contributing to the rise in system failures.

In response, DWU crews and contractors are working extended hours on a 24/7 basis to address repairs. The utility has also activated a repair contract to provide additional support for the increased volume of 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.

Repairs are prioritized based on severity and impact, including safety risks, property damage, water loss, traffic disruptions, and system criticality. Priority 4 emergencies, which involve risks to health, safety, or critical facilities, are responded to immediately and typically completed within 24 hours. Priority 3 planned repairs, which involve significant water loss but no immediate safety hazard, are generally completed within about a week.

Lower-priority leaks, categorized as Priority 1 or 2, are queued for assessment but take precedence behind emergency and higher-impact repairs.

DWU encourages residents to report water main leaks or breaks by calling 3-1-1 under the water main leak/break category. Reports can also be submitted online or through the Dallas 311 mobile application available for iOS and Android devices. Each report triggers an immediate field assessment to determine the repair priority based on current site conditions.