Utility Bills are based on usage and the cost to treat, deliver water, maintain the infrastructure, and meet state and federal regulations. Since the system is self-funded, rates reflect the actual cost of service. 

There are various reasons why your bill is higher than other bills. These include:

• You used more water. You can view a 12-month usage history on the left-hand side of your bill.
• You received a new water meter that is accurately recording and transmitting your usage. This is preceded by a letter in the mail and a door hanger notification.
• Your bill is for a longer billing cycle than the previous.
• You may have requested additional services such as a special trash pick-up or meter check.
• The manual reading for your meter was misread. You can request a free recheck of your meter once every 12 months from the Water Business Office.
• Leaks or breaks in your water line or damaged irrigation systems. Automatic irrigation may turn on when you are unaware. Check your irrigation programming regularly.
• Seasonal factors such as additional irrigation, pool maintenance, holiday activities, etc.
• Increase indoor water use such as showers and baths, toilet use/running toilets, laundry, dishwashing, faucet use, leaks in toilets, faucets, or showerheads, etc.

Can my bill be waived or reduced?

Charges are based on usage and service costs. We can, however, review your account for errors, discuss available options or programs, and provide guidance.

Your payment supports the water system exclusively. It supports the water treatment and delivery of safe drinking water to your home or business, pipe repairs, daily operations, and long-term improvements. These funds stay within the utility system.

Why am I paying this if I already pay taxes?

Property and sales taxes fund services like police and fire. Utilities are funded separately by customers based on usage and actual service costs.

Rates may increase due to aging infrastructure, rising costs or inflation, regulatory requirements from state and federal agencies, and system growth.

No. Half Cent Sales Tax revenue is used to fund economic development projects. Under the Texas Development Corporation Act. These funds are restricted to economic development purposes. In limited cases, they may fund infrastructure tied to a specific project, but they may not be used to fund a utility's daily operations or to reduce customers’ bills.

Your water bill shows the total amount of water your household uses during a billing cycle and a breakdown of the charges. It also has a monthly usage section that shows the consumption for the previous billing cycles. For more information, visit Rates and Fees | Tyler, TX.

We are happy to answer any additional questions or concerns you may have. You can contact us at our online form. 

TWU partnered with KSA Engineers as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's national initiative to inventory the types of materials of all customers' water service lines in the City's distribution system by October 16, 2024. The inventory is an important step in protecting public health and minimizing the risk of lead entering drinking water from service pipes and fixtures in people’s homes. The water service line inventory map is now live, and the inventory has been submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

The meter is no longer registering the water passing through it. The register will show the same reading month after month, causing a zero-consumption bill. When a meter is found to be DNR, we will estimate the consumption based on previous months' usage until the meter is replaced. Once the meter is replaced, the customer will be charged for the water that is passing through the meter, which may cause the customer to see higher bills. 

When an account has a manual reading entered, that causes a lower-than-average consumption to be billed. The following month(s), a true reading is entered, and due to the previous reading being too low, it causes the consumption to be above their average. The water has gone through the meter but is not billed until the following month(s).  

Manual readings are taken at the meter when the amount of water used is not transmitted electronically to the Water Business Office. A meter reader visits each address to visually verify and record the water usage.