Water, Sewer & Trash Bill Calculator
At 6,000 gallons a month, water + sewer runs $66.71 in Dallas, $130.71 in Houston, and $134.24 in Austin (Oct 2026 posted rates). Pick your city and see your number.
Your water, sewer & trash bill
How Texas water bills work
Water and sewer are usually billed together by your city's water utility, and sewer is often the bigger half — in Austin, sewer ($87.94) costs almost twice as much as water ($46.30) at 6,000 gallons.
Most Texas cities use tiered rates: the first few thousand gallons are cheap and the price per 1,000 gallons rises as you use more. That is why a lawn in August can double the bill even though the house uses the same water indoors.
You cannot choose your water provider — Houston Public Works, Dallas Water Utilities, Austin Water, and SAWS each serve their own city. But you can still check the bill: compare your $/1,000 gal against the posted city rate, and look for a sudden usage jump, which usually means a leak.
The Texas median for water + sewer is about $96 a month at 6,000 gallons. If you are far above that, the first things to check are a running toilet, a dripping outdoor spigot, and your irrigation schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the sewer charge higher than the water charge?
Treating wastewater costs more than delivering clean water, and most cities base the sewer charge on winter water use or total use. In Austin and Houston the sewer line is the bigger half of the bill.
How much water does a household use?
About 6,000 gallons a month for a typical Texas household — roughly 50–60 gallons per person per day indoors, plus outdoor watering in summer.
Why is Dallas water so much cheaper than Austin's?
Each city sets its own rates to cover its own pipes, treatment plants, and debt. Dallas's combined $66.71 at 6,000 gallons is about half of Austin's $134.24 — same water, different system costs.
Can I lower my water bill?
Fix leaks first — a running toilet can waste 200+ gallons a day. Then low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, shorter showers, and watering the lawn early in the morning instead of midday.
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