Water Leak Between the Meter and Your House in Dallas: Who Fixes It?
By the Plumbing Hands editorial team · Published November 5, 2026
Water Leak Between the Meter and Your House in Dallas: Who Fixes It? In Dallas, the property owner is responsible for the private side of the water service line, from the water meter to the house, so a leak there is yours to have repaired by a licensed plumber. A leak at the meter or on the street side is reported to Dallas Water Utilities by calling 311, which takes water emergencies 24 hours a day.
In Dallas, the property owner is responsible for the private side of the water service line, from the water meter to the house, so a leak there is yours to have repaired by a licensed plumber. A leak at the meter or on the street side is reported to Dallas Water Utilities by calling 311, which takes water emergencies 24 hours a day.
Decision guide
How to decide what happens next
Start by identifying whether the issue is isolated to one fixture or affects several drains. If the problem is spreading, includes dirty water, or risks property damage, treat it as urgent and request provider guidance.
Checklist
How to tell which side of the meter is leaking
Pinpointing whether a water leak sits on your private service line or the city side determines who is responsible for the repair before you call a plumber or city utilities.
Wet or soggy ground, or unusually extra-green grass, located in the yard between the meter box and the house points to a leak on the private service line.
Water pooling inside the meter box itself or at the connection before the meter is typically a city-side meter leak to report to Dallas Water Utilities.
Turn off every fixture in the home and watch the meter's leak indicator dial to confirm water is moving through the line (our meter-check guide explains this step in detail).
If your home is equipped with a private customer shutoff valve near the house, closing it stops water to the home while you wait for assistance or diagnosis.
Do not dig around the meter box or touch the city's meter or other city equipment.
Verification
After the repair: asking Dallas Water Utilities for a leak adjustment
Repairs must be fully complete before you submit an adjustment application to Dallas Water Utilities.
Submit your request within 90 days of the repair date along with the repair receipt or paid-in-full invoice.
If approved, the adjustment covers at most 3 months of higher billing and allows only one adjustment per 12-month period.
Review by DWU can take up to 45 days, and filing an application does not guarantee an adjustment; repair costs and lost water remain the customer's responsibility.
Local service-area guidance
This page is written for homeowners and property managers in Dallas-Fort Worth. Plumbing Hands helps homeowners request emergency plumbing service across Dallas-Fort Worth. Availability, pricing, credentials, and arrival details should be confirmed directly with the matched provider.
Official sources
Official sources for “Water Leak Between the Meter and Your House in Dallas: Who Fixes It?”
These official and manufacturer sources back up the guidance above. Use them to check a plumber's Texas license, see what a typical home policy covers, or read more on the specific problem before you approve work.
Check that the plumber who shows up holds a current Texas license before you approve work.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call for a leak at the water meter in Dallas?
Call 311, which takes Dallas water and sewer emergencies 24 hours a day, to report a meter leak.
Who pays to fix the pipe between the meter and my Dallas house?
The property owner. DWU states that owners control and are responsible for maintaining the private side of the service line running from the water meter to the home.
Will Dallas credit my water bill for a leak?
DWU offers a leak adjustment request process subject to specific rules: repairs must be finished, applications must be submitted within 90 days with receipts, and approval covers at most 3 months with a 12-month limit between adjustments.
What is the quick decision?
In Dallas, the property owner is responsible for the private side of the water service line, from the water meter to the house, so a leak there is yours to have repaired by a licensed plumber. A leak at the meter or on the street side is reported to Dallas Water Utilities by calling 311, which takes water emergencies 24 hours a day.
When should I call instead of waiting?
Call when water damage, wastewater, essential fixture loss, or repeated backup symptoms are present.
What should I do first during a plumbing emergency?
Stop the water source if safe, avoid using affected fixtures, protect people from contaminated water, and request help.
What should I do during an active leak?
Use the closest working shutoff valve, keep water away from electrical areas, and request leak help quickly if water keeps spreading.
When should a drain backup be treated as urgent?
Treat it as urgent when more than one fixture backs up, wastewater appears, or the problem blocks essential use.
