7 Shocking Facts About The Arlington Texas Water Department You Need To Know Before Your Next Bill
Arlington Water Utilities is undergoing a massive transformation in 2025 and 2026, impacting everything from your monthly bill to the quality and delivery of your water. This is not just a standard utility update; the City of Arlington is implementing cutting-edge technology and tackling century-old infrastructure issues simultaneously.
For residents, staying informed about these changes is crucial, especially with new utility rates taking effect in the coming fiscal year. The department continues to balance the need for infrastructure investment with its commitment to maintaining some of the lowest water rates across North Texas. This deep dive reveals the most critical, up-to-date facts you need to know right now, as of December 2025.
Arlington Water Utilities: Essential Profile and Contact Information
Arlington Water Utilities is the department responsible for providing safe, high-quality drinking water, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management for the City of Arlington, Texas. The department manages a complex system of water mains, sewer lines, and treatment facilities, sourcing its raw water from the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD).
- Utility Name: Arlington Water Utilities (part of the City of Arlington, TX)
- Director: Alex Whiteway (as of the 2025 budget report)
- Water Source: Raw water is primarily sourced from the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD).
- Headquarters/Mailing Address: 1100 SW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX (Customer Service Center)
- Emergency Line (Main Breaks/Sewer Spills): 817-459-5900 (24 hours/7 days)
- Water Quality Issues Line: 817-575-8984
- Primary Customer Portal: Know Your H2O / WebConnect (for billing and usage tracking)
Fact 1: New Water and Sewer Rate Increases Are Effective in 2025/2026
Arlington residents and businesses will see an increase in their utility bills, which includes water, sewer, stormwater, and garbage fees, starting October 1, 2025, for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
The FY 2026 Rate Breakdown
The rate adjustments are necessary to fund critical infrastructure projects and maintenance.
- Minimum Residential Users: Will experience a 6.54% rate increase, which translates to approximately $2.18 more per month.
- Average Residential Users: Will see a 7.94% increase, or about $5.89 more per month.
- Commercial Customers: Those using 50,000 gallons of water and wastewater per month will see an 8.57% increase, or $59.58 per month.
Despite these increases, the city emphasizes that Arlington’s overall utility rates will remain among the lowest in the North Texas region, a key advantage for residents.
Fact 2: A Multi-Million Dollar Treatment Plant Upgrade is Finishing Soon
One of the most significant infrastructure projects affecting water delivery is the ongoing upgrade at the Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant in West Arlington. This multi-year capital project is a massive undertaking designed to modernize the city's water infrastructure.
The project involves replacing crucial components, including the chemical feed facilities used during the water treatment process and the clearwells where treated water is stored before distribution. According to the latest reports, this vital upgrade is on schedule for completion in the Fall of 2025, ensuring the continued delivery of safe, high-quality water for decades to come.
Fact 3: Satellite Technology is Now Being Used to Detect Leaks
In a major leap forward for operational efficiency, Arlington Water Utilities has begun using satellite data to proactively detect and locate leaks within the city’s vast water system.
This innovative technology uses satellite imagery to predict "points of interest"—areas where potential leaks are occurring on the city's system. By investigating these points, the department can address leaks before they become major main breaks, saving millions of gallons of water and reducing the cost of emergency repairs. This strategic use of technology is part of the utility’s ongoing effort to manage its aging infrastructure more effectively.
Fact 4: The City is Actively Replacing Century-Old Water Mains
The Director of Arlington Water Utilities, Alex Whiteway, has highlighted that the 2025 budget includes significant work on aging infrastructure and lead remediation. The problem is not theoretical; in early 2025, a repair call revealed a 1½-inch century-old main on North Mesquite Street that was in critical need of replacement.
This is part of a broader Capital Improvement Project (CIP) initiative. Other recent and ongoing projects include the replacement of 2,570 feet of sanitary sewer mains and 640 feet of water mains along South Bowen and Pleasant Ridge, demonstrating a commitment to upgrading the entire system from water delivery to wastewater collection.
Fact 5: Your Water Quality is Consistently Monitored and Reported
Residents concerned about the safety and quality of their drinking water can access the official 2024 Water Quality Report (also known as the Consumer Confidence Report).
The Arlington Water Utilities Laboratory is highly active, with a 15-member staff performing rigorous testing. In 2024 alone, the lab analyzed 7,258 samples for 266 different substances, ensuring the water meets all state and federal safety standards. The report confirms the city’s commitment to transparency regarding its water treatment and distribution processes.
Fact 6: Conservation Programs Offer Free Help to Residents
The City of Arlington is a strong proponent of water conservation and offers specific programs to help residents save money and water.
- Free Irrigation System Evaluations: Residents can request a free evaluation of their home sprinkler systems to identify leaks, inefficiencies, and improper settings, which can drastically reduce outdoor water waste.
- Award-Winning Initiatives: Arlington Water Utilities has received recognition for its conservation efforts, including a 2025 award for the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden, a demonstration garden that engages the community in water-wise landscaping.
Fact 7: The 'Average Winter Consumption' (AWC) Policy Can Save You Money
A key financial policy for Arlington residents is the Average Winter Consumption (AWC) calculation. This policy is designed to protect customers from high sewer charges during summer months when outdoor irrigation significantly increases water usage.
The AWC is calculated by averaging a residential customer's water usage shown on their December through March bills. This average then sets a maximum cap for your wastewater (sewer) charge for the entire year. By limiting water use during these winter months, residents can lock in a lower maximum sewer charge, resulting in substantial savings during the summer.
Managing Your Account and Avoiding Disconnection
For customers who have fallen behind on payments, Arlington Water Utilities has a strict disconnection policy. Service disconnection for residents with balances past due 60 days or more was set to begin on February 1. If you are struggling to pay your bill, it is crucial to contact the utility immediately to discuss payment assistance options or a payment plan.
Key Payment and Account Tools:
- Know Your H2O Portal: This online customer portal allows you to view and pay bills, review transaction history, and analyze your water and sewer usage to identify potential leaks or areas for conservation.
- Payment Options: Payments can be made online via the WebConnect/Invoice Cloud portal, by phone, or in person at the customer service center.
The Arlington Water Department is clearly focused on a future that blends infrastructure modernization (Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant, pipe replacements) with smart technology (satellite leak detection) and customer-focused conservation programs. Understanding these seven facts is the best way for any Arlington resident to manage their utility costs and ensure they are maximizing their water resources.
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