Frequently Asked Questions

For questions related to water conservation, click here

For questions related to the Cease the Grease program, click here

Q: I see placards on the curbs and storm drains that say “DRAINS TO CREEK” or “DRAINS TO RIVER” and “NO DUMPING”.  What do these mean?

A: The City of Dallas has two separate sewer systems. 

One system, the Sanitary Sewer System, services your home and businesses and takes the wastewater from our daily lives INSIDE and brings it to the Wastewater Treatment Plant for treating before it is released into our local waterways.

The other system, the Stormwater Sewer System, serves to move excess run-off water from precipitation events away from our homes and streets to keep us safe and prevent flooding. These drains are NOT treated so anything which is put down them goes out to our waterways intact and just as potentially damaging as when it goes in the drain.  One quart of motor oil can foul 250,000 gallons of water. Leaves and grass clippings can clog the drain, causing flooding, and can throw off the chemistry of our lakes and rivers as they decay creating a stink or “fish-kill”. 

We mark those drains to help prevent people from misusing our Storm Drains as trash bins so we can keep our eco-system safe.

Q. Who do I contact if I have a question about stormwater topics?

A. For more information on stormwater pollution prevention visit www.wheredoesitgo.com, email: stormwater@dallascityhall.com or call 214-948-4022.

Q. Why am I charged a Stormwater Fee?

A. In 1990 the federal government announced the first phase of stormwater regulations for large cities. In response, the Dallas City Council established the SDM Fund (commonly referred to as the “Stormwater Utility” or “Stormwater Fee”) to provide a dedicated funding source for costs associated with maintaining the drainage system and compliance with related state and federal regulations.

Q. What is used to treat Dallas’ drinking water?

A. Chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia, which is less hazardous than chlorine alone) and ozone for disinfection, lime and iron sulfate to remove suspended solids and for corrosion control, activated carbon to control taste and odor.

Q. Is Dallas drinking water safe?

A. Dallas’ water meets or is better than all standards set by the state and federal governments. The State of Texas has designated Dallas a “Superior Public Water System,” the highest rating given by the state. DWU also tests the water 40K to 50K times every month, including tests for many more chemicals than government standards require.

Q. What causes occasional taste and odor changes in Dallas’ water?

A. All water has its own unique taste and odor characteristics. Dallas, like many other water suppliers, occasionally experiences taste and odor changes. In the summer and early fall, algae in area lakes occasionally give water an earthy taste and odor. Temperature change and excessive rain also can alter taste. These changes do not affect the safety of the water.