Leak relief and household assistance

A high water bill may have a path to review

Hidden plumbing failures can produce an alarming bill before the problem is visible. This guide separates what District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) publicly describes from the practical steps every customer can take while requesting help.

Provider-specific review

What the public record says about a leak adjustment

Customers should first review daily, monthly, and yearly usage in My DC Water and enroll in High Usage Notification Alerts (HUNA), which can flag unusually high usage for four consecutive days. For an excessive bill caused by an underground or otherwise non-visible leak, contact DC Water promptly at 202-354-3600 and request an investigation or bill adjustment; a fixture leak visible through ordinary inspection is generally not treated the same way. Under the District rules described in DC Water's Consumer Bill of Rights, the leak must be repaired promptly, and the utility may adjust no more than 50% of excess usage over the average at the same property for up to three comparable prior periods, generally for a retroactive period no greater than 30 days or one billing cycle. The customer should provide evidence of repair, ordinarily by a licensed District master plumber, and keep paying uncontested charges while the review proceeds. Eligible CAP+, CAP1, and CAP2 customers may receive a free licensed-plumber assessment and, when funds are available, approved repairs through the Residential Leak Assessment and Repair programs.

Stop the loss

Shut off the failing fixture or supply and arrange a qualified repair.

Keep proof

Save dated invoices, parts receipts, photographs, and meter readings.

Request review

Submit the request promptly and keep paying any undisputed amount.

Utility assistance

Customer assistance and eligibility

DC Water's FY2026 Customer Assistance Program is administered with DOEE verification. CAP+ discounts the first 600 cubic feet, or 4,500 gallons, of monthly water and sewer use, reduces CRIAC by 75%, and waives the Water System Replacement Fee; the published approximate savings is $131 per month. CAP1 discounts the first 400 cubic feet/3,000 gallons and has the same CRIAC and replacement-fee benefits, approximately $101 per month. CAP2 discounts the first 300 cubic feet/2,250 gallons, reduces CRIAC by 50%, and saves about $67 monthly; CAP3 reduces CRIAC by 75%, about $18 monthly. SPLASH supplies up to $350 in one-time emergency help through the Greater Washington Urban League. Income limits vary by household and program year, and payment plans may return 50% of the last three qualifying payments as a credit for eligible residential accounts with balances at least $500 and 60 days old.

State and federal connections

Where to ask for broader aid

DC Water coordinates affordability screening with the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), which verifies CAP eligibility, and with the Greater Washington Urban League, which administers SPLASH. Customers can call DOEE at 202-350-9649 or use the District assistance application; the Office of the People's Counsel can provide consumer guidance and complaint assistance. The reviewed current DC Water pages do not promise an active federal LIHWAP benefit or a standing state water-aid payment, so applicants should ask DOEE, 2-1-1, or a local partner whether any federal emergency water funds are open and then have the agency send the pledge to DC Water before the notice date.

Research status for this provider

4 of 4 relief signals publicly identified

Verify with official provider ↗

Emergency route

Published detail

Leak policy

Published detail

Utility aid

Published detail

State/federal aid

Published detail

Leak and assistance notes

Build the file before asking District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) for relief

A high bill can have several causes, including a hidden plumbing failure, irrigation use, a meter issue, a change in occupancy, or a rate adjustment. The provider’s leak policy determines whether any credit is available; an unusually high bill does not automatically qualify.

Keep a dated record of the reading, the suspected source, the repair, the contractor or parts receipt, and the return to normal use. Ask whether the utility requires a specific form, a licensed repair, a meter test, photos, or a request within a fixed number of days.

For income-related difficulty, ask about local assistance, payment arrangements, state programs, and community referrals separately from a leak adjustment. These programs often use different applications, documents, funding limits, and deadlines.

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