Houston Water Bill Help 2026–27: Shutoffs Are Back, So Here's How to Get a Payment Plan, the W.A.T.E.R. Fund and a Bill Adjustment
For about two years, the City of Houston paused water shutoffs while it dealt with complaints about inflated bills and replaced faulty meters. That pause is over. According to Houston Public Media, Mayor John Whitmire announced in late August 2026 that disconnections would resume on September 8, 2026, starting with about 15,000 customers.
If you're behind on your Houston Water bill, or worried that a bill is wrong, this guide covers who's at risk of shutoff, how to set up an interest-free payment plan, how to apply for the city's W.A.T.E.R. Fund, how to request a bill adjustment and where else to look for help.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: Houston Public Media's August 28, 2026 report on the resumption of shutoffs; Houston Public Works' Utility Billing page; the City of Houston W.A.T.E.R. Fund and Drainage Fund application; and Bayou City Waterkeeper's 2026 water bill assistance guide. Confirm current rules with Houston Water at 713-371-1400.
The Short Version
Who's being shut off first: customers with a Sensus water meter who owe more than $500 and haven't paid in at least 90 days, according to the mayor's announcement.
First call: Houston Water customer service, 713-371-1400, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ask for a payment plan.
Payment plans: the city offers interest-free payment agreements to prevent late fees and service interruptions, as long as certain conditions are met.
W.A.T.E.R. Fund: up to $100 every six months for qualifying low-income, senior (60+) and disabled customers in single-family homes.
Bill looks wrong? Use Houston Public Works' adjustment form for unusually high bills, leaks or exceptional circumstances.
More help: dial 2-1-1.
Who Is at Risk of Shutoff Right Now
Houston Public Media reported that the restart applies to customers who:
Have a Sensus water meter, which the city believes is not affected by the inflated-reading problem,
Owe more than $500, and
Haven't paid in at least 90 days.
Together, those roughly 15,000 customers owed about $30 million, according to the mayor. He said delinquent customers would "receive clear notice and an opportunity to address their past-due balances before service is disconnected," and that the city would offer payment plans and information on assistance.
Even if you aren't in that first group, falling behind can still lead to late fees and eventually a shutoff, so it's best to act before a notice arrives.
Step 1: Call Houston Water and Ask for a Payment Plan
Houston Public Works offers payment plans for past-due water bills through its customer service line, 713-371-1400 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.). Bayou City Waterkeeper's 2026 guide describes these as interest-free payment agreements that prevent late fees and service interruptions as long as you meet the agreement's conditions.
Before you call, have ready:
Your account number and service address
The total past-due amount and the date of your last payment
A realistic number you can pay each month on top of your current bill
Any shutoff notice you've received
On the call:
Ask how long the agreement can run and exactly what happens if you miss an installment.
Ask whether your account is on the shutoff list and, if so, the disconnection date.
Ask about the W.A.T.E.R. Fund (below) and whether a pending application affects your account.
Write down the representative's name, the date and a confirmation number.
You can also manage your account, view transactions and print past bills online at houstonwaterbills.houstontx.gov.
Step 2: Apply for the W.A.T.E.R. Fund
The W.A.T.E.R. Fund is a city program, supported entirely by voluntary donations, that helps seniors, low-income and disabled Houstonians pay their water bills. Here's how it works, according to the city's application:
Amount: up to $100 toward water and wastewater charges in any six consecutive months, depending on available funds.
Who: single-family residential customers. The service must be in the applicant's name.
Reapplying: you can reapply six months after the first payment posts to your account.
Appeals: eligibility decisions aren't subject to appeal.
A separate Drainage Fund, on the same application, offers up to $100 every six months toward the drainage charge for qualifying single-family customers.
Houston Public Media also reported that a new $5 monthly garbage "administrative fee," first appearing on August 2026 bills for customers who get city garbage and recycling service, is eligible for W.A.T.E.R. Fund help under a measure the city council approved this summer.
Who qualifies
The application has three categories:
Low-income disabled: proof of disability and income at or below the federal poverty guidelines
Senior citizen (60+): photo ID and income at or below the federal poverty guidelines
Other low-income: photo ID, with preference for households that have been at or below the poverty guidelines for at least three months
Houston Public Media described the poverty guidelines as ranging from about $24,000 for one person to about $66,500 for a household of six.
For elderly and disabled applicants, the form allows medical bills not covered by insurance or Medicaid to be subtracted from total monthly income.
What to include
Attach the following for every person living in the home:
A copy of your City of Houston water/sewer and/or drainage bill
Current award letters for Social Security, SSI or VA disability
Current award letters for veterans, railroad or teachers' pensions
Current pay stubs from employers
A copy of the applicant's Texas driver's license or ID, plus Social Security cards or birth certificates for every household member
Fill in every line. Write "N/A" where something doesn't apply, because the city asks that no line be left blank.
Where to send it
Email: WATER.FUND@houstontx.gov
Fax: (713) 371-1069, Attention: W.A.T.E.R. Fund and Drainage Fund
Mail: Customer Account Services: W.A.T.E.R. Fund, P.O. Box 4863, Houston, TX 77210
Step 3: If Your Bill Looks Wrong, Request an Adjustment
The shutoff pause began because of complaints about inflated water bills. If your bill jumped suddenly, don't just pay or ignore it:
Compare it with the same month last year and with your recent usage.
Check for leaks. A running toilet or a leaking outdoor line can drive up usage.
Request an adjustment. Houston Public Works has an online form to apply for credits for unusually high bills, leaks or exceptional circumstances.
Use the city's calculator to estimate what a normal bill should be. It applies to single-family homes with a standard 5/8-inch meter.
While a dispute is pending, ask customer service whether you should pay the undisputed portion and whether a payment plan can protect your service in the meantime.
Other Places to Look for Help
2-1-1 Texas / United Way Helpline: call 211 any time, or chat or email through 211texas.org. Houston Public Media reported that 211 lists Braes Interfaith Ministries, Pearland Neighborhood Center and the Society of St. Stephen as other sources of limited water bill help.
BakerRipley: Bayou City Waterkeeper's guide says BakerRipley provides water bill assistance to eligible Harris County households when funding is available, with requests taken through its Pasadena campus. Call 713-526-4611. BakerRipley also offers help with electricity and propane bills for households at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Houston Public Media reported that its portal closed in July after 3,000 requests and was set to reopen in mid-September.
Funding for these programs runs out quickly, so apply early and keep checking.
A Quick Checklist If You Get a Shutoff Notice
Call 713-371-1400 the same day and ask for a payment agreement.
Send a W.A.T.E.R. Fund application if you qualify, and tell customer service that you applied.
Dispute any bill you believe is wrong using the adjustment form.
Call 211 for other emergency help.
Keep records of every call, confirmation number and document you send.
Closing Thoughts
Houston's shutoff pause is over, but there are still ways to keep your water on. Interest-free payment agreements, the W.A.T.E.R. Fund's $100 every six months and the bill adjustment process can work together. The key is to call Houston Water before your account reaches the shutoff threshold, apply for help as soon as you qualify and challenge any bill that doesn't match your actual use.
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