Some 15,000 Houston residents who collectively owe $30 million in unpaid water bills could have the service turned off beginning Sept. 8, the Public Works Department says.
Houston Public Works will issue disconnection notices to utility customers “based on factors including no payment for at least 90 consecutive days, an outstanding balance of more than $500, and a Sensus remote-reading device,” according to the statement issued by the city. For the past two years, Mayor John Whitmire said in the news release, his administration has “given customers significant leeway and held off on water shutoffs following the inaccurate water bills experienced in 2024.”
“This was another significant issue I inherited, and we have spent the past two years fixing it,” Whitmire said, while noting city officials had replaced faulty meters and corrected billing issues. “Today, we have confidence in the accuracy of our billing, and we have a responsibility to collect payment for services that have been provided. We cannot continue to carry unpaid balances indefinitely.”
Customers are expected to receive notices on how to pay off their past-due balances before service is disconnected. City officials are offering payment plans and additional information about funding options.
For any questions about payment arrangements or account information, city of Houston water customers can call 713-371-1400.