History of Dallas Water Utilities in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 2, 2026

Dallas Water Utilities (DWU), a non-profit department of the City of Dallas, provides water and wastewater services to Dallas and 31 neighboring communities. It operates with a budget solely funded by customer rates, receiving no tax revenue. With approximately 1450 employees and 26 programs, DWU's services are governed by Chapter 49 of the Dallas City Code. Rates are based on the cost of providing services, ensuring financial sustainability through user fees.

1903: City turned to surface water sources

In 1903, Dallas Water Utilities turned to surface water sources such as the Trinity River and manmade lakes after Browder Springs proved an inadequate water source.

1913: Texas legislature passed an anti-pollution law

In 1913, the Texas legislature passed an anti-pollution law that directed all cities with populations greater than 50,000 to cease discharging untreated wastewater into streams.

January 1917: Dallas completed a wastewater treatment plant

In January 1917, Dallas completed a 6 million US gallons per day wastewater treatment plant, the Central WWTP, to comply with the anti-pollution law.

1959: Water permit applies to the Ray Hubbard Reservoir

A 1959 water permit applies to the Ray Hubbard Reservoir, its use, and also permits (under limited conditions) storage and usage of water pumped by pipeline from Tawakoni Balancing Reservoir in Northeast Texas.

1964: Central WWTP was augmented

In 1964, the Central WWTP was augmented with a 3 million US gallons per day Southside Oxidation Pond Facility (now called the Southside WWTP).

1973: Pumpage of water to nearby treatment facilities began

In the summer of 1973, pumpage of water to nearby treatment facilities began for the Ray Hubbard Reservoir.

2001: Dallas City Council took conservation efforts to another level

In 2001, the Dallas City Council took conservation efforts to another level by adopting an irrigation ordinance which included time-of-day watering restrictions.

2001: Ordinance and other measures reduced gallons per capita per day in Dallas

Since 2001, the ordinance and other measures have reduced gallons per capita per day in Dallas by 26%.

June 2003: DWU provided retail water service to just over 1.2 million people

As of June 2003, Dallas Water Utilities provided retail water service to just over 1.2 million people within the Dallas city limits.

2006: Primary authority and rules listed in Dallas City Code

In 2006, the primary authority and rules for Dallas Water Utilities were listed in Chapter 49 of the Dallas City Code.

April 2012: Council voted to adopt maximum twice-weekly watering

In April 2012, the Dallas City Council voted to adopt maximum twice-weekly watering, which allows outdoor irrigation only twice per week according to a schedule based on even/odd street address numbers.

2017: CWWTP was nominated for the Resilient Utility of the Year Award

In 2017, the CWWTP was nominated for the Resilient Utility of the Year Award.

2018: Construction is expected to be complete by 2018

Construction of the Integrated Pipeline Project is expected to be complete by 2018.

2050: Long Range Water Supply Plan extends to 2050

Dallas' Long Range Water Supply Plan includes recommendations for water supplies to meet the needs of Dallas and the other cities served through 2050. The plan also includes water conservation and emergency water management plans.