Just opened your water bill and saw it jumped from $50 to $140 with no explanation? You’re not alone. Thousands of North Texas homeowners face unexpectedly high water bills each month – and many don’t realize a hidden leak could be draining their wallet.
Whether you’re trying to figure out if your bill is normal, looking for ways to cut costs, or suspecting you might have a leak, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about water bills in Texas – specifically for homeowners in Cedar Hill, Dallas, Grand Prairie, DeSoto, and Midlothian.
Quick Answer: What's the Average Water Bill in North Texas?
For a family of four in North Texas: Expect to pay $50-75 per month for water and sewer combined, based on using 8,000-10,000 gallons monthly. However, rates vary significantly by city.
Texas statewide average: $40-50 per month
National average: $83 per month
If your bill is consistently over $100 for a typical household, you’re either using significantly more water than average or you may have a leak that needs immediate attention.
North Texas Water Bill Comparison by City
Water rates vary significantly across the Best Southwest and Dallas area. Here’s what residents in our service area typically pay:
Average Monthly Water Bills (Family of 4, ~8,000-10,000 gallons)
| City | Average Monthly Bill | Base Fee | Cost Per 1,000 Gallons (After Base) | Sewer Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Hill | $52-68 | $25.50 | $4.85 | ~$30-35 |
| Grand Prairie | $58-72 | $28.00 | $5.20 | ~$32-38 |
| DeSoto | $48-62 | $24.00 | $4.72 | ~$28-32 |
| Midlothian | $45-58 | $22.50 | $4.50 | ~$26-30 |
| Dallas | $65-85 | $30.00 | $5.50 | ~$38-45 |
| Duncanville | $50-65 | $26.00 | $4.90 | ~$30-34 |
Rates current as of December 2025. Contact your local utility for exact current rates.
What This Means for Your Household
2-person household (4,000-5,000 gallons): Expect to pay $30-45 monthly
4-person household (8,000-10,000 gallons): Expect to pay $50-75 monthly
6-person household (12,000-15,000 gallons): Expect to pay $75-110 monthly
Summer bills in Texas typically run 30-50% higher due to lawn watering, pool filling, and increased outdoor water use. If you have an irrigation system, expect summer bills closer to $90-150 even for average usage.
How Texas Water Billing Works
Understanding your bill helps you identify problems faster. Here’s what you’re actually paying for:
Breaking Down Your Water Bill
1. Base Fee (Meter Charge)
This fixed monthly charge covers infrastructure maintenance regardless of usage. Typically $20-30/month in North Texas.
2. Volume Charge (Usage)
This is based on how many gallons you use, usually billed in 1,000-gallon increments. Most cities use tiered pricing:
- First 2,000-5,000 gallons: Lower rate ($4.50-5.00 per 1,000 gallons)
- Next tier: Slightly higher rate ($4.75-5.50 per 1,000 gallons)
- High usage: Even higher rate ($5.00-6.00 per 1,000 gallons)
3. Sewer Charge
Often the most expensive part of your bill! Sewer charges are typically calculated based on your water usage (assuming what goes in must come out). In North Texas, sewer charges often equal or exceed water charges.
4. Additional Fees
- Stormwater management fee
- Infrastructure improvement charges
- Environmental fees
How to Read Your Water Meter
Your water meter tracks usage in gallons or cubic feet. Here’s how to check for leaks:
- Turn off ALL water in your home (no showers, toilets, washing machines, ice makers)
- Write down the meter reading
- Wait 30 minutes without using any water
- Check the meter again
- If the numbers changed, you have a leak
What Affects Your Water Bill
1. Household Size
Average daily water usage per person in Texas: 90-100 gallons
- 1 person: 2,700-3,000 gallons/month
- 2 people: 5,400-6,000 gallons/month
- 3 people: 8,100-9,000 gallons/month
- 4 people: 10,800-12,000 gallons/month
- 5+ people: 13,500+ gallons/month
2. Seasonal Variations
Summer Bills (June-September):
Texas summer heat means significantly higher water bills, often 30-50% more than winter due to:
- Lawn and garden watering (up to 30% of summer water use)
- Pool filling and maintenance
- More showers and outdoor activities
- Increased AC condensation line drainage
Winter Bills (December-February):
Typically the lowest bills of the year, though water heating costs more.
3. Irrigation Systems
Automatic sprinkler systems are major water users. A typical residential irrigation system can use:
- 15-25 gallons per minute while running
- If running 20 minutes, 3x per week: ~3,600-6,000 gallons/month extra
- Adds $20-40 to your monthly bill
Pro tip: Many North Texas cities offer irrigation audits to help you optimize watering schedules and reduce waste.
4. Appliance Age and Efficiency
Older toilets (pre-1994): Use 3.5-7 gallons per flush
Modern low-flow toilets: Use 1.28-1.6 gallons per flush
Savings: A family of four can save 20,000+ gallons per year
Older washing machines: Use 40+ gallons per load
Modern high-efficiency washers: Use 15-25 gallons per load
Savings: 8,000-10,000 gallons per year
Older showerheads: Use 3.5-5 gallons per minute
Low-flow showerheads: Use 2.0 gallons per minute or less
Savings: Up to 2,700 gallons per year per person
5. Leaks (The Hidden Water Waster)
Even small leaks add up dramatically:
- Dripping faucet (1 drip/second): Wastes 3,000+ gallons/year (~$15-20)
- Running toilet: Wastes 200+ gallons/day (~$30-60/month)
- Leaking toilet flapper: Wastes 6,000+ gallons/month (~$40-80)
- Small slab leak: Can waste 10,000+ gallons/month (~$70-150)
- Major pipe leak: Can waste 30,000+ gallons/month (~$200-400)
This is why unexplained bill increases should always be investigated immediately.
Is Your Bill Too High? Warning Signs to Watch For
Red Flags That Indicate a Problem
🚨 Your bill suddenly increased 50% or more with no change in usage
🚨 You’re consistently paying $100+ for a typical household
🚨 Your usage went up but your habits didn’t change
🚨 Your bill is significantly higher than neighbors with similar households
🚨 You hear running water when everything is turned off
🚨 You see wet spots on walls, ceilings, or floors
🚨 Your water pressure has decreased
🚨 You notice warm spots on your floor (hot water slab leak)
🚨 Your yard has unusually green or soggy patches
🚨 Your water meter continues moving when water is off
How Much Water Should You Be Using?
Typical daily household water usage in North Texas:
- Toilets: 24% (2,400 gallons/month for family of four)
- Showers/Baths: 20% (2,000 gallons/month)
- Faucets: 19% (1,900 gallons/month)
- Washing Machine: 17% (1,700 gallons/month)
- Dishwasher: 1% (100 gallons/month)
- Outdoor/Other: 19% (1,900 gallons/month, higher in summer)
- Leaks: Can account for 15% or more!
If your usage is significantly higher in one category, that’s where to focus your reduction efforts – or where a leak might be hiding.
How to Lower Your Monthly Water Bill
Immediate Actions (No Cost)
1. Check for Running Toilets
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, you have a leak. A running toilet can waste 200 gallons per day.
2. Take Shorter Showers
Reducing a 10-minute shower to 5 minutes saves 12.5 gallons per shower. For a family of four taking daily showers, that’s 1,500 gallons saved per month.
3. Turn Off Water When Not in Use
- While brushing teeth (saves 4 gallons/day)
- While soaping up in the shower (saves 5 gallons/day)
- While washing dishes by hand (saves 2-3 gallons/day)
4. Only Run Full Loads
Wait to run your dishwasher or washing machine until you have a full load. This can save 300-800 gallons per month.
5. Adjust Your Irrigation Schedule
Water early morning (before 10am) or evening (after 6pm) to reduce evaporation. Most North Texas lawns only need 1″ of water per week, including rainfall.
Low-Cost Improvements ($20-200)
1. Install Low-Flow Showerheads
Cost: $15-40 each
Savings: 2,700+ gallons per person annually
Payback: 2-4 months
2. Replace Toilet Flappers
Cost: $5-15 per toilet
Savings: Up to 6,000 gallons/month if old flapper was leaking
Payback: Immediate if you had a leak
3. Install Faucet Aerators
Cost: $5-10 each
Savings: 500-700 gallons per faucet annually
Payback: 1-3 months
4. Add Rain Barrel for Garden Watering
Cost: $50-150
Savings: 1,300+ gallons during growing season
Payback: 6-12 months
5. Install Smart Irrigation Controller
Cost: $100-300
Savings: 8,000-15,000 gallons annually
Payback: 6-18 months
Bigger Investments ($200-2,000+)
1. Replace Old Toilets
Cost: $200-500 per toilet installed
Savings: 13,000+ gallons per year per toilet
Payback: 2-4 years
2. Upgrade to High-Efficiency Washer
Cost: $600-1,500
Savings: 8,000-10,000 gallons annually
Payback: 3-6 years (including water and energy savings)
3. Install Drip Irrigation System
Cost: $500-2,000 for typical yard
Savings: 30-50% reduction in outdoor water use
Payback: 2-4 years
4. Convert to Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
Cost: $1,500-5,000+ depending on yard size
Savings: Can reduce outdoor water use by 50-75%
Payback: 3-7 years, plus increases home value
Water Conservation Rebates in North Texas
Many cities offer rebates for water-efficient upgrades:
Cedar Hill:
- Rain barrel rebates
- Irrigation efficiency programs
- Check with Cedar Hill Water Department
Dallas:
- $100 rebate for high-efficiency toilets
- $200 rebate for smart irrigation controllers
- Free irrigation system evaluations
Grand Prairie:
- Landscape transformation rebates
- Rain sensor rebates
- Free outdoor water audits
Check your city’s utility website for current rebate programs.
When to Call a Plumber About High Water Bills
Sometimes, reducing usage isn’t enough – you need a professional plumber to find and fix hidden problems.
Signs You Need Professional Leak Detection
Call a plumber immediately if you notice:
Bill increased 50%+ with no usage change – This almost always indicates a leak
Water meter continues moving with all water off – Confirmed leak
Sound of running water when nothing is on – Likely pipe or toilet leak
Wet spots on walls, ceilings, or floors – Active leak causing damage
Warm spots on floors – Possible hot water slab leak
Soggy yard areas or extra-green grass patches – Underground irrigation or pipe leak
Decreased water pressure – Could indicate leak or pipe damage
Musty smells or visible mold – Hidden leak causing moisture problems
Why DIY Leak Detection Isn’t Enough
Many leaks hide in walls, under slabs, or underground where you can’t see or reach them. Professional plumbers use specialized equipment:
- Acoustic leak detection: Listens for leaks in pipes
- Thermal imaging cameras: Detects temperature changes from water leaks
- Moisture meters: Pinpoints hidden water damage
- Pressure testing: Identifies leaks in closed systems
- Video pipe inspection: Shows inside pipes to find cracks and breaks
Our Leak Detection Services
At Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating, we’ve been finding and fixing leaks in North Texas homes since 1965. Our leak detection services include:
- Complete home leak inspection
- Advanced acoustic and thermal imaging equipment
- Same-day service available
- Transparent, upfront pricing
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Don’t let a hidden leak drain your wallet. Call us today at 972-291-0740 or schedule online.
Don't Let High Water Bills Drain Your Budget
Understanding your water bill is the first step to controlling costs and catching problems early. If you live in Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, DeSoto, Midlothian, or anywhere in the Best Southwest, knowing what’s normal for your area helps you spot issues before they become expensive disasters.
Key Takeaways:
- Normal North Texas water bills: $50-75/month for family of four
- Summer bills are 30-50% higher – that’s normal
- Bills over $100 may indicate leaks or excessive usage
- Even small leaks can add $50-100/month to your bill
- Professional leak detection pays for itself quickly
Is Your Water Bill Higher Than It Should Be?
You might have a leak costing you hundreds per year. Our leak detection specialists use advanced equipment to find hidden problems fast.
Don’t let a small leak drain your wallet and damage your home.
Call Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating today:
📞 972-291-0740
⏰ Same-day service available
✅ Serving Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, DeSoto, Midlothian, Dallas & surrounding areas since 1965