- Starting April 1, 2024, single-family residential customers will be billed based on an assigned set monthly water usage. This set usage will provide customers with consistent water bills while Houston Public Works makes necessary improvements to ensure the accuracy of each customer’s monthly water usage readings.
- After June 30th, customers with a working remote reading device will start receiving bills for actual water usage.
- Follow up: If asked – What is my set usage?
Answer: For customers with accounts older than 1 year (created before March 1, 2023), the set usage is calculated as the average water consumption available on the account, up to 36 months. To benefit the customer, this calculation excludes usage during the drought (June – December 2023), freeze (February and March 2021), and potential water leaks of your property.
- For customers with accounts less than 1 year old (created after March 1, 2023), the set usage of 3,000 gallons per month will be assigned based on the average consumption for new Houston water accounts.
Follow up: If asked – What if I don’t know how old my account is?
Contact Customer Account Services at 713-371-1400 and have your information available.
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Question: How long will I get a set usage water bill?
Answer: Single-family residential customers will receive set usage bills starting April 1, 2024, until you receive an upgraded remote reading device*. Once your remote reading device has been verified to be transmitting accurate water usage, you will receive a 60-day notice before you transition back to actual usage bills.
*Some customers already have a functioning remote reading device on their meter. Those customers may return to actual usage bills as early as July 2024.
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Question: How do I know if my meter has a working remote reading device?
Answer: You can access it yourself by visiting – www.houstonwaterbills.org or Contact Customer Account Services at 713-371-1400.
- You will receive your set usage bill until the device is replaced and correct readings are verified.
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Question: How will I be notified when my remote reading device is replaced?
Answer: You will receive a notice by letter or email (whichever is your preferred method of communication) 30 days after your remote reading device is replaced and we verified the device is transmitting correct readings.
- You will continue to receive a set usage bill for the next two billing cycles from date of the notice.
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If a customer uses less water than their assigned set usage, the City of Houston will bill the customer based on their lower, actual water consumption.
Example -
| Customer actual Usage | Customer set usage | What customer bill on |
| 5,000 gallons | 8,000 gallons | 5,000 gallons |
Answer: If a customer uses more water than their assigned set usage, the City of Houston will NOT charge the customer for the extra water usage.
However, if your actual usage is more than you expected, we recommend you check your property for a possible water leak.
Example -
| Customer actual Usage | Customer set usage | What customer bill on |
| 8,000 gallons | 5,000 gallons | 5,000 gallons |
Follow up: If asked – Will I be responsible for back charges?
No. You will not be back charged if your actual usage is more than your set usage.
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Question: What happens during set usage billing?
Answer: Providing you with a set usage bill will help you know what to expect when paying your bill while we ramp up the replacement of non-functioning remote reading devices.
- This will also allow us the time we need to ensure the accuracy of your bills.
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Question: Will my water service be turned off?