Consumer Alerts

UTILITY WORKERS NEVER ASK TO COME INTO YOUR HOUSE!

Police continually advise the public not to allow anyone in your home who has not scheduled a visit, noting that all utility and city employees have distinct uniforms, badges and vehicles.  You can always call the phone number on your utility bill to ask about your water.  Home inspections are not part of the Garland Water Utilities operations.

Garland police are warning residents to be on the alert after several suspects reportedly burglarized a home after convincing the resident that the water might be contaminated with COVID-19. The resident allowed the suspects into the home to check the water, police said in a Facebook post Wednesday. While distracted by the alleged inspection, suspects went through the home and pocketed valuables.  These suspects are using manipulating tactics to take advantage of innocent people,  Don’t let these criminals fool you.

COvid-19 - your water continues to be safe

The City of Garland Water Utilities department is closely monitoring Federal, State and Local health organizations as well as our national industry associations for information regarding water and wastewater treatment during the Coronavirus outbreak.  Water and Wastewater services continue to be provided without any service interruptions.

For businesses and other buildings that have been unoccupied for some time due to the pandemic, it is vitally important that water lines are flushed before the water is used. The information below will help each business owner/manager make decisions about flushing. Garland Water Utilities cannot make specific recommendations for flushing times because buildings vary so much in size and plumbing structure.

It is important to prepare closed buildings for employee/customer occupancy. Before resuming operation, be sure to flush all water lines thoroughly. Water that has been standing in pipelines for a long period of time needs to be pushed out and fresh chlorinated water needs to be brought through the lines. For more information visit CDC Flushing Recommendations.

If you have any questions, you can call the City of Garland Water Utilities department at 972 205-3210.

Coronavirus information from our water supplier, NTMWD.

City of Garland Radio Read Water Meter Replacement Program
Meter Chg Out CMS Vehicle Signage

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is the administering agency. This project is partly funded by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and provides for the phased replacement and upgrades to existing radio read water meters. Garland Water Utilities customers may see the city’s meter contractor, Compass Metering Solutions, working between the street and sidewalks installing the new water meters. Scheduling of these replacements will be by meter read or billing cycle routes. The city reads water meters Monday – Friday, every week. The city is divided into 20 sections, one for each business day of the month. See map to find your billing cycle.  Crews are currently working in cycles 20, 8 and 9.  Meters will be replaced for all customer types such as residential, commercial, industrial, etc. For questions or concerns, please call water operations at 972 205-3210.

Annual Smoke Testing for Wastewater Pipes

The Water Utilities department conducts annual leak detection tests on the pipes of our sanitary sewer system during the months of July, August and September.  The tests are performed by the department’s Inflow & Infiltration section by pumping a special non-toxic, non-staining smoke into the sewer lines a section at a time.  If there is a crack or break anywhere in the pipeline, the smoke will rise to the surface and the crew can visually see the exact location where repairs are needed.

Water from rain events or even naturally occurring ground water can seep into pipes that are broken or cracked which adds to the flow of water going to the wastewater treatment plant.  More flow means increased processing costs.  Keeping this water out of our pipelines saves money and prevents unnecessary high flows through the equipment at the plant.

The smoke is created using a mineral oil base that does not cause harm to humans or animals.  It won’t leave a residue even if it gets into a resident’s house.  This test can be helpful for a resident as the smoke may come through if there is a plumbing problem in the house.  Smoke will come up in weak spots (plumbing issues) even if the P-trap is full. For seldom used drains or P-traps (10 days or more), the water has probably evaporated and it is recommended that residents put about a cup of water down the drain to fill the P-trap so smoke does not come into the house.

Note: This article will remain active throughout the year.  Updates regarding annual testing area and map will be posted each June. 

2023: There will be seven miles of sewer pipes smoke tested this year. This year’s testing encompasses a fairly large area and may continue through to a few weeks in October. Click here for a view of the maps. 

When the water utility crews plan to work in your neighborhood, an information tag will be hung on your front door three days before the work is started.  Rain or high winds can affect the test results so there are times when testing will have to be postponed.  Residents will be notified if defects are found on private property.

If you have any questions about the city’s smoke testing program, please call 972-205-3210 or email us at waterops@garlandtx.gov.

Safe Drinking Water in Garland

The City of Garland’s water system is rated “Superior” by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).  This is the highest rating for a water system.  The rating indicates that our operation meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water requirements. Garland takes great pride in the high quality of its water, which is the same water shared by the entire North Texas Municipal Water District service area.

It is important to know that outside sources occasionally weigh in on drinking water quality.  Scare tactics are usually a key part of the messaging and the communication most times will lead the reader to a product or service for purchase.  Buyer beware!  If you have questions about your drinking water, please call or email our department.  State and Federal guidelines require full transparency when it comes to the quality of your drinking water.  Here is a link to our current water quality reports, including our annual (Consumer Confidence Reports).  


You may have recently received mailings urging you to obtain a warranty plan or other form of coverage for the water/sewer service lines that serve your home (the portion owned by you, from the City’s meter to your home). Such advertisements may suggest that the program is being offered in conjunction with the City. The City of Garland does not sponsor or endorse any such warranty programs.

If you are interested in obtaining such coverage, you should carefully review the coverage being offered, taking into consideration:

  • The actual risk of needing repairs to the service line
  • The expense of coverage (bearing in mind that such plans may rely on automated payment deductions against your bank account, with an automatic yearly renewal or “evergreen” clause (that will keep you obligated to pay unless you actively seek to terminate the coverage)
  • The actual terms of the coverage documents (which may contain substantial exemptions from and limitations on coverage) as opposed to the company’s advertisements
  • The company’s financial viability, that is, will the company be there to pay if you ever make a claim

The City of Garland Water Department often receives information that an internet company has advertised water testing services for water customers in North Texas. Garland Water and Wastewater Utilities, reminds residents to be alert.

Garland Water Utilities Department works continuously to monitor and test our drinking water from the supplier pipeline all the way to the customer’s tap.Our daily tests and our recent annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) show that all test results are within safe limits for drinking water.

The company advertising the independent tests state that they are supported by the Texas Water Utilities Association (TWUA). When contacted, the TWUA confirmed they have no affiliation with this company. In addition, the company’s contact information and location are missing from the Test My Water website. Our drinking water in Garland continues to be rated “Superior” by the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality. Companies claiming that the drinking water needs to be tested by an outside source are usually trying to sell consumers an unnecessary and expensive filtration system for their home.

If you have any questions about your drinking water, always turn to your local water department for help. Learn more by calling 972-205-3210. City of Garland residents are encouraged to be on the alert and recognize any suspicious contact with a City of Garland Water Department employee requesting access into their home. Periodically complaints are received where individuals are posing as city of Garland employees, in an attempt to gain access into the home to rob the customer.

Methods Which Have Been Used in The Past

  • Testing of Your Water for Quality - City of Garland Water customers should beware of anyone requesting access into their home to test their water pressure or water quality. Occasionally, Water Department employees have a legitimate need to request access to a customer's home. The customer should always ask to see the employees City Employee photo identification.
  • Refund Scams - In the past, impostors have indicated that a resident is due a refund on their account. They ask the resident to provide change for a $100 bill in order to receive the refund, and then rob them of the money. The City of Garland Water Department never gives cash refunds. All refunds are issued as a credit on the water bill.

Residents who are approached by anyone representing themselves as city employees should ask to see identification. All employees carry photo identification cards and will be driving a clearly marked city vehicle. If a resident needs to confirm someone is a Water Department employee, they should call our 24/7 operations center at 972-205-3210. Always remember if a person's actions make you suspicious, don't hesitate to contact the police.