Harris County Utility, TexasComplete Guide 2026
Every utility. Every provider. One centralized homeowner resource.
From setting up water service (City of Houston vs. your MUD district) to navigating Texas's deregulated electricity market and auditing your MUD for over-collection — this is your definitive 2026 utility guide for Harris County homeowners.
Water & Sewer
City of Houston vs. MUD
Electricity
CenterPoint deregulated
Natural Gas
CenterPoint or SiEnergy
Trash & Recycling
HTX Collects schedule
MUD District Audit
TCEQ rate check
START HERE — DETERMINE YOUR PROVIDER BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE
Whether you get water from the City of Houston or a MUD district changes every step below. Search your property address at hcad.org — if a "Municipal Utility District" appears in your Taxing Units section, your water comes from that MUD, not the city. Set up utilities at least 5–7 business days before your move-in date to avoid gaps in service.
Water & Sewer Service
City of Houston Public Works · Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) · 2026
Harris County water and sewer service is split between two systems — the City of Houston Public Works and hundreds of independent Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs). Which one serves your home determines where you apply, who you pay, and what rates you pay.
Houston Public Works
If your home is within Houston city limits and not in a MUD, water and sewer service comes from Houston Public Works. Sewer is automatically bundled — no separate application. Trash is typically included.
houstonwaterbills.houstontx.gov | 311 or 713-837-0311 | Activates in 2–3 business days
Set up service online →Your Municipal Utility District
If your home is in a MUD, contact that district's operator directly — common operators include Inframark, SiEnvironmental, and MDS Utilities. Your district number appears on your HCAD property record and water bill.
Find MUD at hcad.org → Taxing Units | TCEQ Water Districts Map Viewer | Timeline varies by district
Use our MUD Lookup tool →How to set up water service — step by step
Find your provider
Search your address at hcad.org. Check Taxing Units — if you see a MUD number, that's your water provider, not the city. If no MUD is listed, apply with Houston Public Works.
Gather what you need
Have ready: government-issued ID, service address, move-in date, Social Security number (for credit check), and proof of ownership or lease agreement. A deposit of $100–$200 may be required without established credit history.
Apply online at least 5–7 days before move-in
City of Houston: apply at houstonwaterbills.houstontx.gov. Service activates in 2–3 business days. MUD customers: locate your district operator through your MUD number and call or apply on their website — timelines vary.
Sewer and trash setup
For City of Houston customers, sewer service is automatically bundled with water — no separate signup required. Trash is also included and established with your water account. For MUD customers, sewer and trash may be included in a flat monthly fee (often $25–$35/month) on your water bill.
MUD water bills typically show three separate charges: (1) water charges based on usage (per-thousand-gallon rate); (2) surface water and groundwater pumpage fees from regional water authorities; and (3) a flat monthly sewer and trash fee (typically $25–$35 for single-family residential). Understanding each line item is essential for auditing whether your district's rates are appropriate.
Report a water leak or outage
Call 311 or 713-837-0311, or use the city's online service request portal at houstonpublicworks.org. For main-line breaks, call immediately — do not wait for regular business hours.
Contact your district operator directly — the emergency number appears on your water bill. Many MUDs also offer text alert systems for outage notifications — sign up through your district's website.
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) issues boil water notices at hcphctx.org. Sign up for alerts and bookmark this page — notices can follow major storm events and main breaks.
Water conservation programs
Houston Public Works offers free water conservation tools including rain barrel sales, leak detection resources, and educational programs. MUD customers should check their district's website for any conservation rebates or tier-rate structures that reward lower usage.
Electricity Service
Texas Deregulated Market · CenterPoint Energy TDU · 40+ Retail Providers · May 2026
Houston has one of the most competitive electricity markets in the country. Texas deregulated its electricity market in 2002, which means you must actively choose a Retail Electric Provider (REP) — the company that sells you electricity. If you don't choose, the Provider of Last Resort (POLR) is assigned at rates typically much higher than the market average.
How Texas electricity deregulation works
Two separate companies are involved in every Houston electricity bill
Power generation
Wind farms, gas plants, solar — across ERCOT grid
CenterPoint Energy
TDU — owns wires, poles & meters. You cannot choose them — assigned by location
Your REP + your home
You choose from 40+ licensed providers. They bill you. CenterPoint delivers.
2026 CENTERPOINT TDU DELIVERY CHARGES (ON EVERY BILL)
How to choose an electricity provider
Compare plans at Power to Choose
powertochoose.org is the official PUCT comparison tool — all licensed Texas REPs are listed. Enter your ZIP code. Filter by contract length (6–36 months), rate type (fixed vs. variable), and renewable content.
Read the Electricity Facts Label (EFL)
Before signing, always read the EFL — a standardized document showing the true all-in rate at your usage level (500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh/month). "Teaser" plans advertise low rates only at 1,000 kWh; the EFL reveals the real cost at your actual usage. As of May 2026, fixed plans range from 7.2¢ to 19.5¢/kWh.
Sign up online — CenterPoint continues delivering
Enrollment takes 2–5 minutes online. Your new REP handles the switch — no service interruption. CenterPoint continues delivering power through the same wires. You'll need your CenterPoint account number (on your current bill) to switch without interruption.
Report outages to CenterPoint — not your REP
For power outages, always call CenterPoint Energy at 713-207-2222 — not your electricity provider. Your REP handles billing; CenterPoint restores power. Switching providers does not affect how quickly your power is restored after a storm.
IF YOU DON'T CHOOSE — PROVIDER OF LAST RESORT
If you don't select a retail electricity provider before your service start date, you'll be assigned to the Provider of Last Resort (POLR) — currently Reliant Energy for the CenterPoint service area. POLR rates are typically significantly higher than competitive market rates. Don't let this happen — set up your account at least 5–7 days before move-in.
Natural Gas Service
CenterPoint Energy · SiEnergy (newer communities) · Not deregulated for most customers
Unlike electricity, natural gas in most of Harris County is not deregulated — you cannot choose your gas provider. Your provider is determined by your address. Most established Houston neighborhoods are served by CenterPoint Energy. Many newer master-planned communities (Bridgeland, Elyson, Cane Island, Harvest Green) are served exclusively by SiEnergy.
CenterPoint Energy — Gas
Serves most of established Houston and Harris County. CenterPoint is also your electricity TDU — two separate accounts, two separate services.
centerpointenergy.com | 713-659-2111 | Emergencies: 713-659-2111
Set up gas service →SiEnergy
Serves many newer master-planned communities in Harris County and surrounding areas. If your neighborhood was built after 2015, verify your provider before assuming CenterPoint.
sienergy.com | 281-884-2755 | Common in: Bridgeland, Elyson, Cane Island
SiEnergy service area →CRITICAL — ADULT REQUIRED FOR GAS ACTIVATION
Unlike water or electricity, activating natural gas requires an adult (18+) to be physically present at the property when the technician arrives. The technician must perform a safety check and light pilot lights on water heaters, furnaces, stoves, and dryers. Schedule this appointment well in advance of your move-in date — same-day appointments are rarely available.
Gas safety — what every homeowner must know
Leave immediately, don't operate any switches or phones inside the home. Call CenterPoint's gas emergency line at 713-659-2111 from outside or a neighbor's home. Do not re-enter until cleared.
Schedule an HVAC inspection before each heating season — Houston's mild winters mean furnaces sit idle for months and may develop issues when first activated in fall.
Any new gas appliance (stove, water heater, dryer) installation that involves connecting to the gas line requires a permit and inspection in both the City of Houston and unincorporated Harris County.
Trash & Recycling Collection
City of Houston Solid Waste Management · Private haulers for MUD customers · HTX Collects app
Trash service depends entirely on your jurisdiction. City of Houston residents get comprehensive city-managed collection included with their water account. MUD and unincorporated Harris County residents typically use private haulers contracted by their district or HOA — always verify before assuming city service.
Garbage Collection
98-gallon automated cart. Place at curbside by 7:00 AM on collection day. Set up when you establish your water account — no separate registration.
Recycling Collection
Green 96-gallon container. Single-stream recycling — paper, cardboard, plastics #1–7, aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars. No need to sort.
Heavy Trash Pickup
Alternates monthly: odd months = tree/yard waste (branches, stumps). Even months = junk waste (furniture, appliances). Place items curbside by 7:00 AM on your scheduled week.
FIND YOUR COLLECTION SCHEDULE — HTX COLLECTS APP
Download the HTX Collects app (iOS and Android) or call 311 (713-837-0311) to find your specific garbage, recycling, and heavy trash pickup days by address. Collection schedules vary by neighborhood — never assume your day based on a neighbor's address. MUD and HOA customers: check with your district operator or HOA management for your private hauler's schedule — common providers include Best Trash, Texas Pride Disposal, and Republic Services.
MUD District Rate Audit
Is your district over-collecting? How to check and what to do — TCEQ · 2026
Harris County has more than 500 Municipal Utility Districts. Many were created to fund infrastructure bonds for new developments — and many have now paid off those bonds. A debt-free MUD should show significantly reduced rates. If your bill hasn't decreased but your district has retired its debt, you may be over-paying.
THE OVER-COLLECTION PROBLEM
Many Harris County MUDs have reached debt-free status but have not reduced their rates proportionally. If your bill doesn't show a rate decrease after bond retirement, your district may be over-collecting. TCEQ requires annual financial reporting from every district — this data is public and available for comparison.
How to audit your MUD district rates
Find your district number
Search your address at hcad.org → Taxing Units section. Your MUD number appears there (e.g., "Harris County MUD 55"). Also check the TCEQ Water Districts Map Viewer at tceq.texas.gov/gis/iwudview.html — click your property to see district boundary and details.
Pull your district's financial disclosures
Go to the TCEQ Integrated Water Districts Database (iWDD) at tceq.texas.gov/waterdistricts/iwdd.html. Search your MUD number. Financial disclosures, bond balance, rate orders, and board contact information are all publicly available. The iWDD is updated weekly.
Compare your rate to neighboring districts
Look up the per-thousand-gallon water rate for 2–3 neighboring MUDs providing similar services. If your district charges significantly more and its bond balance is near zero, you have grounds for a formal inquiry. The TCEQ Water Districts Search lets you search and compare any Texas district.
Attend your district's board meeting
MUD board meetings are open to the public — Texas law requires it. Your district's meeting schedule is posted on the iWDD record or your district's website. Attend, request a rate justification, and ask for a debt payoff timeline. Board members are elected officials accountable to residents.
Escalate to TCEQ if needed
If you believe your district is over-collecting without justification, contact TCEQ's Water Supply Division at iwud@tceq.texas.gov or call (512) 239-4691. TCEQ has oversight authority over all Texas water districts and can investigate rate-setting practices.
TCEQ TOOLS FOR MUD LOOKUP
Water Districts Map Viewer
Interactive map — click your address to see district boundary and name. Fastest for address lookup.
Open Map ViewerWater Districts Database (WDD)
Search by district name or number. Returns contact info, service area maps, and TCEQ application status.
Search WDDIntegrated Water Districts Database (iWDD)
Full financial disclosures, bond status, rate history, board contacts. Updated weekly.
Open iWDDTCEQ Water Supply Division | iwud@tceq.texas.gov · (512) 239-4691
ANNUAL AUDIT REMINDER
Audit your MUD rates every year — not just when you move in. Rate orders change, bonds retire, and district boards are sometimes slow to pass savings to residents. The 5 minutes it takes to check your district's financials annually could save you hundreds of dollars per year in over-collected fees.
Utility Frequently Asked Questions
Definitive 2026 Homeowner Resource Directory & Regulatory Compliance Map