Frequently Asked Questions

Locate the wastewater cleanout outside your house. The cleanout is usually capped with a white, square, plastic piece about 4-inches above the ground. The exact location varies from home to home, or could be hidden or buried by a previous owner. It is the property owner's responsibility to maintain the cleanout.

Remove the cap and immediately call Water Utilities at (972) 721-2261. A crew will be dispatched to determine if the blockage is the city’s responsibility or if you will need to call a plumber.

This is caused by an algae bloom at the water sources, Lake Chapman and Lake Lewisville. Most Texas lakes experience what is referred to as a “blue-green algae bloom” in late summers and, in rare occurrences, during exceptionally warm winters. The algae are removed during treatment, but the scent and taste issues still occur.

The treatment process aids with these issues, but no process has been developed anywhere to completely eliminate them. However, please note that these issues are not harmful to your health and that fire hydrant flushing does not relieve this problem. As algae levels normalize, so will the scent and taste of the water.

The City of Irving owns part of the water rights to Jim Chapman Lake, close to Sulphur Springs, Texas. Irving’s portion is pumped from Lake Chapman through a booster pump station to Lake Lewisville.

Irving has an agreement with the City of Dallas to store and treat water from Lake Chapman, supplemented by treated water purchased from the City of Dallas from its water sources. For more information click here.

Every year, the Environmental Compliance Division of Public Works publishes a Water Quality Report that describes the chemistry of Irving’s water.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rated Irving’s water as “superior,” meaning it exceeds chemical and taste standards set by the State of Texas.

If a repair is made on the water main or service line prior to the meter then there is no impact on customer usage. Water must pass through the meter before it will register and be billed.

Sometimes air enters the water line when a repair is made. If you have air in your water line, turn on all faucets inside and let the water run for at least five minutes. Flushing toilets while the water is on will also help push the air out of the line.

Experiencing low pressure in just one location within your home indicates a restriction at that particular water outlet. This is generally caused by the screen becoming blocked with the natural minerals found in the water. Removing, cleaning, and or replacing the screen should alleviate the problem.

Some older homes may still have corroded galvanized pipes (smaller opening), which over time will cause a reduction of flow and pressure. If there is low pressure throughout the residence, contact the Water Utilities Department to have pressure and flow tests completed at the meter location by a technician.

Most job sites are restored within seven to ten business days. Occasionally, this time frame is extended, depending on the workload.

The Traffic & Transportation Streets Division takes care of concrete replacement for Water Utilities.

Streets Division usually waits six to ten weeks for the excavated area to settle before pouring new concrete.

Contact Streets at (972) 721-2201.

When construction or repair work affects privately owned turf or irrigation systems, it is a work practice of Water Utilities to restore the affected area. In such cases, the property will be restored to a condition as similar to the original condition as possible.

Grass is replaced only after all clean-up and follow-up work has been completed. This includes the replacement of concrete and any other repair required. Since grass is a seasonal commodity, in winter months it is prudent to wait for the growing season to come before grass is planted. When the grass is planted, city employees water it once and then it is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep it watered properly until it begins growing.

Private landscaping in a city easement is typically replaced as a courtesy to the citizens. Landscaping is done as needed. While trees removed from the easement are generally not replaced, other landscaping may be replaced. Water Utilities personnel may be involved with replacement work or the city’s landscape contractor may be assigned to complete the work.

Irrigation repairs are usually completed by the on-site maintenance / repair crew. In most instances, city personnel find it helpful to meet with the homeowner to determine where any damage is and to make sure repairs are done properly. When problems arise outside the scope of work handled by city staff, Water Utilities contacts an irrigation company that is on contract to make repairs at no cost to the homeowner.

Every effort will be made to notify residents of work being done so that major inconveniences can be avoided.

The city typically leaves the break running and notifies residents and businesses that will be affected. At times, the break is causing damage to property or other utilities, so it has to be shut off prior to notifying all affected parties.

Normally, it takes from 45 minutes to two hours for this preventive maintenance.

However, all jobs are different. If the job is a stoppage, it sometimes takes several hours and requires the main to be dug up and repaired. Usually, the time required is less than two hours.

Yes, the city will fix the problem if you have a receipt or other acceptable proof that you had a plumber out to work on your line. The city will first check to make sure the plumber was correct. If the problem is the responsibility of the city, it will be fixed.

If a toilet works, but you cannot take a shower because the water does not drain or if the washing machine will not drain and the toilet and sink work properly, the problem is most likely under the residence or business and a professional will need to be called.

Irving residents can receive a free irrigation system check-up to help homeowners save water and money.

As part of the Irrigation Assistance Program, a licensed irrigation technician will visit your home to evaluate your sprinkler system and identify potential issues, such as:

1. Programming errors
2. Leaks in the system
3. Broken or misaligned sprinkler heads
4. Inconsistent or inefficient coverage

Special Watering Variances + Exceptions

Some situations may allow for watering outside of Irving’s regular schedule:

1. Establishing New Grass or Plants: Residents can request a temporary variance to water daily for more than 30 days to help new sod, seed, or landscaping take root. To apply, please complete and submit the Irrigation Schedule Variance Form.
2. Using Alternative Water Sources: Properties utilizing alternative water sources, such as wells or water supplied by the Dallas County Utility and Reclamation District (DCURD), are exempt from the city's watering schedule. However, well water use must be clearly indicated with a yard sign. All alternative sources must comply with the City’s Backflow and Cross-Connection Control Program and relevant City Code sections.
3. Irrigation System Maintenance: Watering is permitted when performing repairs, testing, or maintenance on your irrigation system.

For more information on DCURD's service area, view the district territory map.

Use Water My Yard to Water Smarter

Not sure how much water your lawn really needs? The Water My Yard program takes the guesswork out of lawn care. Get free weekly email updates with watering recommendations based on local weather conditions.

How It Works

1. Sign Up
2. Go to WaterMyYard.org, select City of Irving, and mark your location on the map.
3. Enter Sprinkler Info.
4. Add your sprinkler’s precipitation rate. If you're not sure, use 0.75 as a default or try a simple catch-can test.
5. Get Weekly Recommendations.
6. Receive customized watering times by email each week—designed just for your yard.

Download the App

Water My Yard is available on Apple and Google Play, so you can manage your lawn care anytime, anywhere.

No. The City of Irving will repair leaks up to the water meter. All pipelines and devices on the customer’s side of the meter are the responsibility of the customer.

Call Water Utilities at (972) 721-2261 and if necessary, a crew will be dispatched to investigate.

Unfortunately, no. Customers can seek recommendations from relatives, friends, and neighbors or research online reviews of local plumbers.

A customer's bank statement will show payment to the "City of Irving."

Customers can make an online payment using any computer, smartphone or tablet with access to the internet.

Visit IrvingTX.gov/PayWaterBill to make a payment online using your credit or debit card, or bank account information. 

1. A valid email address is required to complete the transaction.