In a landmark move towards transparency and accountability, Mayor John Whitmire is spearheading a comprehensive water bill improvement plan, aimed at eradicating inaccuracies and rebuilding public trust. Commencing on April 1, 2024, the City of Houston will implement sweeping reforms to ensure customers receive fair and consistent water bills, marking a significant milestone in the city's commitment to service excellence.

The cornerstone of the initiative lies in providing single-family residential customers with set usage calculations, effective from their May billing cycle. This standardized approach will shield customers from unwelcome billing surprises, all while Houston Public Works undertakes crucial enhancements to guarantee the precision of monthly water usage readings.

  

Key elements of the plan include:

Set Usage Calculation: Single-family residential customers will benefit from a predetermined usage calculation, excluding charges during droughts or freezes, water leaks on their property, or estimations. This measure aims to instill predictability in water bills while the city accelerates the replacement of malfunctioning remote meter reading devices.

Remote Reading Device Installation: The city is committed to installing approximately 125,000 upgraded remote reading devices across Houston, prioritizing properties with failed devices. Customers with functioning devices can anticipate transitioning to actual usage-based billing as early as August 2024, following a 60-day notice period.

Mayor John Whitmire affirmed his dedication to rectifying longstanding billing discrepancies, stating, "I promised Houstonians transparency and common sense to address the water billing problems plaguing our residents. Today, I'm keeping that promise." Emphasizing the significance of restoring public confidence in the billing process, Mayor Whitmire reiterated his administration's commitment to delivering tangible solutions.

In tandem with the billing reforms, the City of Houston is launching an online dashboard at improvewaterbills.org, providing customers with real-time insights into their water accounts and the status of their remote reading devices. Additionally, a series of customer service enhancements are set to revolutionize the user experience, including expanded in-person appointments, streamlined relief requests, and a redesigned utility bill for improved clarity.

City Council's recent repeal of City Ordinance 47-72 underscores the administration's dedication to facilitating accurate adjustments to customer accounts, signaling a pivotal step towards comprehensive reform. Mayor Whitmire acknowledged the resource-intensive nature of the overhaul while expressing optimism about the lasting benefits it will bring to the community.

Customers seeking clarification on their updated bills are encouraged to reach out to Houston Public Works at 713.371.1400 or via email at improvewaterbills@houstontx.gov.

About Houston Public Works:

Houston Public Works stands as the largest and most diverse public works organization in the country, entrusted with fostering a resilient foundation for Houston's prosperity. With responsibilities spanning streets, drainage, water production and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, as well as construction regulation, Houston Public Works is dedicated to delivering excellence across its 671-square mile service area.

For further updates and community engagement, follow Houston Public Works on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor at @HouPublicWorks.

Join Mayor Whitmire and the City of Houston as they embark on a transformative journey towards transparent and equitable water billing practices, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.