Houston Water Department Phone Guide: Billing, 311, Water Quality and Emergency Help
Need the right phone number for City of Houston Water Department help? Use 713-371-1400 for Utility Billing and water account questions, 311 or 713-837-0311 for Houston 311 service requests, and the water quality contact route for drinking-water report questions. This guide explains which number to call for billing, leaks, high bills, RRD status, 311 requests and emergency guidance.
Phone number for City of Houston water billing, 311 and water quality
For City of Houston water bill or account questions, call Houston Public Works Utility Billing at 713-371-1400. For Houston 311 service requests, water leak reporting, or city service routing, call 311 or 713-837-0311. For drinking water quality report questions, call 311 / 713-837-0311 and ask for the Water Quality team.
Which Houston water number should you call?
The correct phone number depends on whether your problem is a bill, account login, leak, 311 request, drinking-water quality question, RRD/billing improvement issue or immediate emergency.
Official City of Houston water department phone numbers and help links
Use these official Houston Public Works and Houston 311 resources for billing phone help, water account access, 311 service requests, water quality reports, high-bill adjustment and RRD billing improvement questions.
City of Houston water department phone number screenshot guide
The screenshot below helps users recognize the official Houston Public Works Utility Billing phone number and water account help options before calling billing, 311, water quality support or emergency service lines.
Image note: This image is used only as a user-help visual reference near the official action section. It is not account proof, service proof, a live portal, or an official endorsement.
Which Houston water phone number to call by problem
| Your issue | Best number / official route | What to say or prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Water bill balance, payment, account transactions or prior bills | Call Utility Billing at 713-371-1400 or use the water account portal. | Account number, service address, customer name and bill date. |
| High water bill, leak credit or unusual bill adjustment | Call 713-371-1400 and use the Universal Adjustment Request form. | Account number, repair documents, leak details, dates and photos if available. |
| Water leak, no water, street water issue or city service request | Call 311 or 713-837-0311, or submit a 311 request online. | Exact address, nearest cross street, visible water condition and urgency. |
| Drinking water quality question | Call 311 / 713-837-0311 and ask for the Water Quality team. | Address, concern type, date/time noticed, taste/odor/color description. |
| RRD replacement or Water Bill Improvement Plan issue | Call Utility Billing at 713-371-1400. | Ask about RRD status, access issue, set usage billing or actual usage transition. |
| Immediate danger | Call 911 first. | Give the exact location and explain the immediate safety risk. |
City of Houston Utility Billing phone number and hours
Houston Public Works Utility Billing is the main customer-service route for water and wastewater utility billing questions.
Houston water account portal: when to use it instead of calling
The official water account portal can help with common tasks that do not always require a phone call.
Pay bill and view account
Use the water account portal to pay a bill and view account transactions.
Print prior bills
The portal link from Utility Billing says customers can print prior bills.
Universal adjustment
Use the adjustment form for unusually high bills, leaks or exceptional circumstances.
Houston 311 phone number for water service requests
Houston 311 is available for city service requests and routing. It is different from Utility Billing.
| 311 route | Official detail | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Dial 311 | Call 311 from a Houston landline or mobile when available. | City service requests, water problem reporting and routing. |
| Call 713-837-0311 | Houston 311 lists 713-837-0311 as the phone number. | Use when 311 dialing does not work or from a mobile/outside routing situation. |
| Submit online | Use the Make a 311 Request option. | Non-life-safety service requests with address/location details. |
| Check status | Use Check 311 Status / search case tools. | Follow up on a request number already submitted. |
City of Houston water quality phone route
For drinking water quality report questions, Houston Public Works says customers can email the listed water quality contact or call 311 / 713-837-0311 and ask to speak with the Water Quality team.
High water bill, leak adjustment and RRD status phone help
If the issue is a high bill, leak, exceptional circumstance, RRD replacement status or set usage billing transition, start with Utility Billing and the official adjustment resources.
Emergency guidance: when to call 911, 311 or billing
Do not use a normal billing phone number when there is immediate danger. Use the correct urgency route.
| Situation | Call / use | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger to life, health or safety | Call 911 | Emergency response is needed first. |
| Water leak, no water, street water issue or non-life-safety water problem | Call 311 or 713-837-0311 | This is a city service request or routing issue. |
| Water bill, payment, account balance, RRD, high bill or adjustment | Call 713-371-1400 | This is a Utility Billing account issue. |
| Water quality report question | Call 311 / 713-837-0311 and ask for Water Quality team | This routes the issue to water quality support. |
Houston Public Works and Houston 311 contact details
| Contact item | Official detail | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Utility Billing phone | 713-371-1400 | Water/wastewater billing, account help, high bill, RRD and adjustment questions. |
| Utility Billing hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-7:00 PM | Calling billing support during listed hours. |
| Utility Billing mail | P.O. Box 4863, Houston, TX 77210-4863 | Official Utility Billing mailing reference. |
| Houston 311 phone | 311 or 713-837-0311 | Service requests, water problem reporting and city service routing. |
| Houston 311 address | 2805 McKinney Street, Houston, TX 77003 | 311 contact reference. |
| Houston Public Works location | 611 Walker Street, Houston, Texas 77002 | Houston Public Works official location reference. |
Map shows Houston Public Works at 611 Walker Street, Houston, Texas 77002. For account-specific help, call Utility Billing at 713-371-1400 before visiting or mailing documents.
Common mistakes when calling City of Houston water numbers
| Mistake | Why it causes delay | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Calling 311 for a bill balance | 311 handles city service requests and routing, not detailed billing review. | Call Utility Billing at 713-371-1400. |
| Calling Utility Billing for a street leak | A street leak is better handled as a 311 service request. | Call 311 / 713-837-0311 or submit a 311 request online. |
| Calling normal lines during immediate danger | Billing and 311 are not substitutes for emergency response. | Call 911 first for immediate danger. |
| Calling without account number | Utility Billing may need your account number to find the correct record. | Keep your latest bill, account number, service address and payment proof ready. |
| Not asking for a case number | Follow-up is harder without a reference number. | Ask for a case/request number and write down the date and next step. |
| Ignoring water quality report route | Water quality concerns need correct routing to the Water Quality team. | Call 311 / 713-837-0311 and ask for the Water Quality team. |
Official City of Houston water phone resources used in this guide
| Official resource | Use it for | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Public Works Utility Billing | Billing phone number, hours, water account portal, W.A.T.E.R. Fund, adjustment form and charge calculator. | Open Utility Billing |
| Houston Water Bills Portal | Pay water bill, view account transactions, print prior bills and access customer profile. | Open water account |
| Houston 311 | 311 service requests, case status, mobile app and 713-837-0311 contact route. | Open Houston 311 |
| Drinking Water Quality Report | Water quality report archive and contact route for water quality questions. | Open water quality report |
| Water Bill Improvement Plan | RRD replacement status, set usage billing, customer service enhancements and billing accuracy updates. | Open improvement plan |
| Universal Adjustment Request | Unusually high bills, leaks or exceptional billing circumstances. | Open adjustment form |
| Houston Water | Houston Water overview, public health mission, drinking water operations and water service context. | Open Houston Water |
Phone number for City of Houston Water Department FAQs
What is the phone number for City of Houston Water Department billing?
Houston Public Works Utility Billing lists 713-371-1400 for water and wastewater utility billing customer service.
What are Houston Utility Billing phone hours?
Houston Public Works lists Utility Billing phone availability as Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
What number do I call for Houston 311?
Call 311 or 713-837-0311. Houston 311 says live assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Should I call 713-371-1400 or 311?
Call 713-371-1400 for water bill, account, payment, RRD, high-bill or adjustment questions. Call 311 or 713-837-0311 for service requests, water problem reporting and city service routing.
What number do I call for a Houston water leak?
For a water leak or water service request, call Houston 311 at 311 or 713-837-0311. If there is immediate danger, call 911 first.
What number do I call for Houston water quality questions?
Houston Public Works says water quality report questions can be sent by email through the listed contact or handled by calling 311 / 713-837-0311 and asking to speak with the Water Quality team.
Where can I pay or view my Houston water bill online?
Use the official Houston Water Bills portal linked from Houston Public Works Utility Billing. It allows customers to pay a bill, view account transactions and print prior bills.
What is the Houston Utility Billing mailing address?
Houston Public Works Utility Billing lists P.O. Box 4863, Houston, TX 77210-4863.
What number do I call for a high Houston water bill?
Call Utility Billing at 713-371-1400. Also review the official Universal Adjustment Request form for unusually high bills, leaks or exceptional circumstances.
What is the Universal Adjustment Request?
It is the Houston water billing form linked by Houston Public Works for customers who need to request an adjustment related to unusually high bills, leaks or exceptional circumstances.
Who do I call about Houston RRD replacement status?
Houston Public Works Water Bill Improvement Plan says customers with RRD replacement status questions or access issues should contact Utility Billing at 713-371-1400.
What is set usage billing?
Houston Public Works says set usage billing was used as a temporary measure while RRDs were being replaced. Call Utility Billing at 713-371-1400 if you need account-specific help about set usage or actual usage transition.
Does Houston have water bill assistance?
Houston Public Works Utility Billing links to the W.A.T.E.R. Fund, which provides financial assistance to seniors, low-income and disabled Houstonians needing help paying water bills.
What is Houston Water?
Houston Water is part of Houston Public Works and includes drinking water and wastewater professionals. The utility serves Houston water and wastewater needs under public health and environmental requirements.
What should I prepare before calling Houston Utility Billing?
Keep your account number, service address, customer name, bill date, payment confirmation, repair receipts if any, and a clear summary of the issue.
What should I prepare before calling Houston 311 for a water issue?
Give the exact address, nearest cross street, type of water problem, whether water is flowing, whether property is at risk, photos if submitting online, and your callback number.
When should I call 911 instead of Houston water billing or 311?
Call 911 first if there is immediate danger to life, health or safety. Billing and 311 are not substitutes for emergency response.
Is Water-Department.org the official City of Houston website?
No. Water-Department.org is an independent guide. Official account actions, billing, 311 requests, water quality questions and emergency guidance must be handled through City of Houston official resources.
Last editorial check: June 2026. Phone numbers, hours, forms, water bill portal functions, 311 links, adjustment rules, RRD replacement details and emergency procedures can change. Confirm final details directly with Houston Public Works, Houston 311 or the official Houston water account portal.
Pay Smarter, Check High Bills, Start Service, Avoid Shutoff and Find Official Water Department Links
Use this free tool before paying a water bill, setting up autopay, starting or stopping service, checking a high bill, requesting leak help, or looking for the official water department portal. It gives practical next steps without collecting your account number or personal details.
What water bill or service problem do you need to solve?
Choose your situation. The tool will suggest the safest next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check first.
Start from the official water department, city, county or utility website before entering account details. Avoid random payment ads and look-alike bill pay sites.
Before paying a very unusual bill, check meter reads, toilet leaks, irrigation use, estimated bills, late fees, and whether your utility offers a leak adjustment.
Water Bill Payment Route Helper
Choose how you want to pay. The tool will tell you what to prepare and the safest payment path.
High Water Bill Checker
Compare your normal bill with the new bill and get a practical investigation path before calling customer service.
Leak Check and Adjustment Checklist
Use this before requesting a leak adjustment, disputing a bill, or calling the water department about high usage.
Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service Helper
Use this before moving, opening a new account, closing an old account, or transferring service to another address.
Past Due, Shutoff and Reconnection Helper
Use this if your account is late, disconnected, at risk of shutoff, or you need a payment plan or assistance program.
Simple Water Usage Cost Estimator
Estimate a rough bill from base charge, usage units, rate per unit, sewer charge, stormwater fee and service fees. Official tiered rates may be different.
Official Water Department Resource Finder
Enter city/utility and state to create safe searches for the official water bill portal, phone number, outage page, assistance, start service, leak adjustment, and Water-Department.org guide.
Water Department vs Payment Processor
- Water department: account help, service start/stop, leaks, repairs, shutoff, assistance.
- Payment processor: card/eCheck payment screen, payment fee, confirmation number, posting time.
Best sitewide placement
Add this tool after the main payment section or before FAQs. It helps users solve the next problem after reading the article.
Important safety note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Always confirm payment portals, phone numbers, account balance, assistance rules and reconnection steps with the official water department or utility.