Utility Services Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my bill the same amount every month?

The utility services billed to you every month can be the exact same amount based on the charges you are receiving.
- Water charges are varied by the amount of water that is consumed (used) during any given month. Since this is billed and read on a monthly basis, it is very possible that the same amount of water could be used during any given billing period.
- Sewer charges are based on a winters three month averaging (December, January, February) of consumption. This average is billed as a standard charge for the months of April through March of the following year. The average is re- established again starting with April’s billing.
- Garbage charges are a monthly flat fee depending on the location of your pick – up (Alley versus Curbside, Commercial versus Residential).
- Taxes are charged at the city sales tax rate on your garbage charges only.
- Drainage charges are a flat monthly charge depending on Residential, Commercial, or Apartment situations.
Why are Sewer charges so high?

The city does not have the facilities to treat the wastewater created from its consumers, this treatment process is done by the Trinity River Authority (TRA). All wastewater is transported through sewer lines to their facility on Singleton Blvd. In Irving . The cost of this service is established by several cost factors such as TRA’s cost to treat the waste, the cost of maintenance and the cost of new installation of sewer lines within the city limits.

Sewer charges are figured three different ways.

Residential sewer charges are based on the three months winter averaging of the water consumption. These three months(December, January, February) consumption are added together divided by three and the applicable charges are then multiplied into that figure for the April through March of next years billings. Customers that have not yet established the winter month’s average will assume a city average until an actual winter average can be established.(see Sewer Configuration Worksheet)
Commercial sewer charges are figured on the consumption on the water meter for any given month. This is figured by taking the total water consumption for that month, and multiplying it by 85%. This percentage figure is then taken and multiplied by the variable rate being charged and adding the flat rate to this amount
Apartment sewer charges are figured based on the number of apartment units on any given meter multiplied by the fixed rate. This figure is then added to the actual water consumption for that month multiplied by 90% then multiplied by the variable rate.

What is a “Drainage Charge”? / How long will it be on my bill?
- Drainage fee charges are charged on each customer’s account according to city ordinance. These are monthly charges that are used to address problems with flood control issues such as the clearing of trees/debris in creek areas, low lying street areas that collect water, and storm drain inlet repairs.
- The drainage charges will continue to be billed until the city council changes the ordinance or deems that the charges are no longer needed.
Why is my bill higher/less than my neighbors’?

Utility bills vary from house to house. Comparisons cannot necessarily be made unless you take several factors into consideration. If you feel that there may be a potential problem with your billing for a particular month, please feel free to contact the billing department. The utility billing employees are your best comparison, they have experience in determining factors that may be involved with your concerns.

How do I start service?
- If you are a new customer in the city the appropriate deposit and paperwork must be presented before service can be established in your name. Please refer to the new customer form for further information.
Why do I have to make a deposit before service can be turned on?
- The utility account requires a deposit, by city ordinance, on all active accounts in the city. This deposit has to be paid in advance and cannot be billed on the account. The deposit is also applied to the account upon your final of that account. Regardless of whether you already have an account or not, the city requires a separate deposit on each account.
Why do I have to show a rental or purchase agreement when I set up my utility account?

We started requiring paperwork on properties because of two main reasons. In the past, any person placing a deposit on an account got water service, even if they had been in the residence for several months. This presented a problem of what water was used by the property holder and the new customer. The other reason for this is basically to keep a fair and just way of billing the proper customers with the proper amounts; therefore saving collection costs and potential increases in the variable cost for water service.

Leaks are the responsibility of the homeowner but the city does look at relief for a portion of the leak once it is repaired. Please refer to the city policy on leak adjustments for the current restrictions / requirements.

There is a statement printed on all monthly bills, A “previous balance” on this statement is subject to immediate disconnection. This statement is printed on your billas a second reminder to our “past due” customers. If you have a past due balance when you receive your bill your water will be subject to disconnection at any time.

City of Duncanville
Utility Services
203 E. Wheatland Road
P.O. Box 380280
Duncanville, TX 75138-0280
972-780-5010