Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) has released data from its annual water loss audit, identifying 10.36 billion gallons of real water losses for the current year. This figure represents a slight increase from the 10.15 billion gallons recorded in 2024. The audit is conducted annually as required by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to establish a baseline for tracking water loss control efforts. Under new state requirements established by House Bill 29, DWU is undergoing third-party validation of this data to confirm its accuracy and strengthen reporting integrity.
DWU describes water loss as an expected and unavoidable aspect of operating a large municipal water system. The utility manages nearly 5,100 miles of water mains across a service area of approximately 700 square miles, delivering water to more than 2.6 million people in Dallas and 27 surrounding communities. Factors contributing to these losses include increased water demand, system stress, pressure changes, shifting soils, temperature fluctuations, and the normal wear and tear associated with daily water movement through pipelines.
