City of Houston Water Department Phone Number: Billing, 311, Leak, Sewer, Water Quality and Outage Help
Houston water customers often search for one phone number, but the correct number depends on the problem. For water bill and account questions, call Utility Billing. For water leaks, sewer issues, outage questions or water quality routing, use Houston 311.
Water bill phone
Call 713-371-1400 for Houston water bill, account, payment and customer service questions.
Water leak phone
Call 311 or 713-837-0311 for public water leaks, city water issues and service requests.
Water quality
Email waterquality@houstontx.gov or call 311 and ask for the Water Quality team.
High bill help
Call 713-371-1400 for account guidance and use the Universal Adjustment Request for eligible reviews.
City of Houston Water Department Phone Numbers by Problem Type
Use this quick decision table first. It prevents the most common mistake: calling billing for a street leak, or calling 311 for a normal account-balance question.
| Your issue | Call this number | Why this is the right route |
|---|---|---|
| Water bill, balance, payment, account, prior bills | 713-371-1400 | Houston Public Works Utility Billing handles account and water/wastewater bill support. |
| Public water leak, broken line, street water flow | 311 or 713-837-0311 | Houston 311 routes city service requests and public infrastructure issues. |
| Sewer issue or sewer backup near cleanout | 311 or 713-837-0311 | Houston guidance points customers to 311 when sewer water is standing by the pipe/cleanout. |
| Water quality question | 311 or 713-837-0311 | Ask to speak with the Water Quality team, or email waterquality@houstontx.gov. |
| Unexpected water outage | 311 or 713-837-0311 | 311 can help confirm scheduled or unscheduled interruption information. |
| High water bill or leak adjustment | 713-371-1400 | Utility Billing can guide account questions; the official adjustment form handles review requests. |
| General 311 email | 311@houstontx.gov | Useful when you need a written route for non-emergency city service questions. |
Main Official Houston Water Phone and Service Links
Call 713-371-1400 for Houston Water Bill and Account Questions
Use 713-371-1400 when your issue is connected to your Houston water/wastewater account, bill, balance, payment, past bills, usage history, move-in service, paperless billing or account access.
Call this number for
- Water bill balance or payment questions
- Account access or online portal help
- Prior bill copies or account transactions
- Water usage history and billing concerns
- Move-in / start service guidance
- High-bill account review questions
Before you call
- Keep your account number ready
- Have the service address ready
- Save your payment confirmation
- Know the bill date and due date
- Write down the exact question first
- Ask for a case/reference number if available
Call 311 or 713-837-0311 for Houston Water Leaks, Sewer Issues and Outages
Houston 311 is the better route when the issue is not simply a bill. Use it for public water leaks, sewer problems, water quality routing, outage questions and city service requests.
| Problem | Call / submit | Details to provide |
|---|---|---|
| Water leak in street or sidewalk | 311 or 713-837-0311 | Nearest address, cross street, photo, water flow level and whether traffic or property is affected. |
| Water main break | 311 or online 311 request | Exact location, visible damage, flooding level and urgency. |
| Sewer water standing near cleanout | 311 or 713-837-0311 | Cleanout location, overflow details, smell, property impact and photos if safe. |
| Unexpected water outage | 311 | Service address, whether neighbors are affected and when water stopped. |
| Water pressure problem | 311 or service request | Address, low/no pressure timing, fixtures affected and whether issue is inside only or area-wide. |
Houston Water Quality Phone Number and Email
For questions about Houston drinking water quality or the water quality report, Houston Public Works says to email waterquality@houstontx.gov or call 311 / 713-837-0311 and ask to speak with a member of the Water Quality team.
Use this route for
- Water taste, odor or color concerns
- Questions about annual water quality report
- Water quality report interpretation
- Possible neighborhood water quality issue
- Questions that need Water Quality team routing
Before contacting
- Note date and time of issue
- Check hot water vs cold water
- Check one fixture vs whole house
- Ask neighbors if they see the same issue
- Take photos of color or sediment if safe
Houston High Water Bill Phone Help and Adjustment Request
If your Houston water bill is unusually high, call 713-371-1400 for account guidance and use the official Universal Adjustment Request when you need a formal high-bill, private-leak, unusually-large-bill or exceptional-circumstance review.
| Situation | Best contact/action | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Payment posted wrong or missing | Call 713-371-1400 | Payment date, confirmation number, amount, payment method and account number. |
| High bill after a repaired leak | Use Universal Adjustment Request | Repair proof, plumber invoice or parts receipt, repair date and bill copy. |
| Unexplained large bill | Call 713-371-1400 and review usage | Usage history, prior bills, meter/account details and service address. |
| Water still running or leak not fixed | Fix leak first / call plumber if private | Photos, repair notes, dates and receipts after repair. |
Houston Sewer Backup Phone Route: When to Call 311 vs a Plumber
Houston Public Works Protect Our Pipes guidance helps customers decide whether a sewer problem may be city-related or private-line related. If sewer water is standing by the pipe/cleanout, call 311 or submit a 311 request.
Call 311 when
Sewer water is standing by the cleanout, the issue appears connected to the public sewer system, or a public area is affected.
Call a plumber when
No sewer water is standing by the cleanout and the blockage appears to be on the private line inside the property.
Houston Water Phone Numbers, Email, Office Reference and Map
Use this contact block when you need the fastest route for Houston water bill, leak, sewer, quality or general service support.
Water bill and account support
Phone: 713-371-1400
Use for: water bill, account, payment, prior bills, usage and adjustment guidance.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 4863, Houston, TX 77210-4863
Houston 311 and water quality
311 phone: 311 or 713-837-0311
311 email: 311@houstontx.gov
Water quality email: waterquality@houstontx.gov
Map shows Houston Public Works at 611 Walker Street, Houston, TX 77002. For billing, call 713-371-1400; for city water issues, call Houston 311.
Common Mistakes When Calling the Houston Water Department
Houston water phone support is easier when you call the correct number first and have the right information ready.
| Mistake | Why it wastes time | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Calling 311 for a normal bill question | 311 handles city service requests, not full account review. | Call 713-371-1400 for billing and account support. |
| Calling billing for a street water leak | Public leaks need city service request routing. | Call 311 or 713-837-0311 and save the case number. |
| Not having account number ready | Billing agents need account details to review your issue. | Keep the account number and service address ready before calling. |
| Not saving case or confirmation numbers | Follow-up becomes harder without proof. | Save payment receipts, 311 case numbers and adjustment request confirmations. |
| Submitting adjustment without documents | Leak/high bill review needs supporting information. | Attach repair proof, photos, receipts and usage details where required. |
City of Houston Water Department Phone Number FAQs
These answers cover the most common phone-number searches for Houston water bills, Utility Billing, 311, water leaks, sewer backups, water quality, outages and bill adjustments.
QWhat is the City of Houston water department phone number?
For water bill and account questions, call Houston Public Works Utility Billing at 713-371-1400. For water leaks, sewer issues, outage questions or water quality routing, call Houston 311 at 311 or 713-837-0311.
QWhat is the Houston water bill customer service phone number?
Call 713-371-1400 for Houston water bill payment, account balance, prior bills, payment confirmation, usage review and customer account questions.
QWhat number do I call for a Houston water leak?
Call Houston 311 by dialing 311 or 713-837-0311. You can also submit a service request through the Houston 311 online portal.
QWhat is Houston 311?
Houston 311 is the City’s live assistance and service request route for non-emergency city issues, including water leaks, sewer issues, outage questions and water quality routing.
QWhat is the Houston 311 phone number from a mobile phone?
You can call 311 directly or use 713-837-0311 from any Houston landline or mobile phone.
QWho do I call for Houston water quality questions?
Email waterquality@houstontx.gov or call 311 / 713-837-0311 and ask to speak with a member of the Water Quality team.
QWho do I call for a Houston sewer backup?
If sewer water is standing by the pipe or cleanout, call Houston 311 or 713-837-0311, or submit a 311 request. If the issue appears only on your private line, contact a certified plumber.
QWhat number should I call for a Houston water outage?
Call Houston 311 at 311 or 713-837-0311 to ask whether the interruption is scheduled, unscheduled or already reported.
QCan I call for Houston high water bill help?
Yes. Call 713-371-1400 for account guidance. For formal review, use the official Universal Adjustment Request for high bills, private leaks, unusually large bills or exceptional circumstances.
QWhat should I prepare before calling 713-371-1400?
Have your account number, service address, bill date, payment confirmation, usage question and any high-bill or leak documents ready.
QWhat should I prepare before calling Houston 311?
Prepare the nearest address, cross street, photos if safe, issue type, urgency, whether property is affected and whether the issue is in the street, yard, home or sewer cleanout.
QIs Water-Department.org the official City of Houston website?
No. This is an independent guide. Official payments, phone support, service requests, account decisions and emergency reporting must be handled through Houston Public Works, Houston Water and Houston 311.
Official Sources for Houston Water Phone Numbers
Use these official resources for final confirmation before calling, paying, submitting a service request, requesting a high-bill adjustment or contacting the Water Quality team.
| Official source | Use it for | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Utility Billing | 713-371-1400, water bill payment, account support, account transactions, prior bills and usage tools. | Open Utility Billing |
| Houston Water Bill Portal | Online payment, bill copies, account tools and usage history. | Open bill portal |
| Houston 311 | 311 / 713-837-0311 phone help, service requests, water leaks, sewer issues and city reporting. | Open Houston 311 |
| 311 Service Request Portal | Submitting and tracking online city service requests. | Open 311 portal |
| Drinking Water Quality Report | Water quality reports, Water Quality team routing and waterquality@houstontx.gov contact. | Open quality report |
| Universal Adjustment Request | High-bill, private leak, unusually large bill and exceptional-circumstance adjustment review. | Open adjustment form |
| Improve Water Bills | Billing improvement updates, appointment help and account/billing review resources. | Open bill improvements |
| Public Notification of Water Shut Offs | Unexpected water interruption and scheduled/unscheduled outage guidance. | Open shutoff notices |
| Protect Our Pipes | Sewer cleanout guidance, sewer backup routing and 311 vs plumber decision help. | Open pipe guidance |
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.