PILLAR: Sustainable
AGENDA DATE: November 12, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Water Utilities Department
PRIORITY: Infrastructure
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the City Manager to (1) implement the Septic to Sewer Assistance Program (Program), as described in Exhibit A, to continue to connect eligible properties to the public wastewater (sanitary sewer) infrastructure currently being installed by Dallas Water Utilities Department to unserved areas by providing assistance of up to $25,000.00 per qualified property for plumbing and eligible home repairs; (2) execute all documents and agreements necessary to implement the Program, including but not limited to agreements with homeowners, subrecipients, contractors, and administration agreements, approved as to form by the City Attorney; and (3) to establish appropriations in the amount of $935,000.00 in the Unserved Septic to Sewer Program Fund - Not to exceed $935,000.00 - Financing: Unserved Septic to Sewer Program Fund
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BACKGROUND
On June 28, 2023, the City Council authorized the City Manager to implement the American Rescue Plan Act Residential Septic Tank Program (Program). The program was set up to provide grants to install plumbing and complete eligible home repair activities required to connect to the public sanitary sewer mains being installed as part of the extension of new, residential water and wastewater services.
The Septic to Sewer Assistance Program will relaunch on December 15, 2025, and continue to assist eligible residential properties in the geographic areas that were previously authorized. The program will provide grants for the cost of converting a single-family residential property from on-site sewer facilities (OSSF) or septic systems to the public wastewater (sanitary sewer) system.
Eligible residential properties will continue to be restricted to the geographic areas previously authorized. Based on average costs of service provided to date, the eligible grant will be $25,000.00. As part of this program, the City will also be offering water conservation services and educating residents on the Lead & Copper Service Line Inventory. Residential property owners that decline to participate will be responsible for any future connections to the City’s public sanitary sewer system.
Staff will contact and advise homeowners in the approved geographic areas of their eligibility to participate in the program. The City will contract with licensed plumbers to decommission OSSF or septic systems and install the plumbing required to connect to the public sanitary sewer system for eligible homeowners.
The timing of the connection of eligible homeowners to the City’s sanitary sewer mains is dependent on the completion of installed wastewater mains which are ongoing and estimated to be complete in fiscal year 2027. The anticipated completion date for the Septic to Sewer Assistance Program is fiscal year 2028. The Septic to Sewer Assistance Program will use up to $935,000.00 from funding allocated to the General Fund from Dallas Water Utilities to be used for unserved areas.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was briefed by memorandum on October 20, 2025. <https://dallascityhall.com/government/citymanager/Documents/Council%20Materials/Septic%20to%20Sewer%20Assistance%20Program%20Re-Launch.pdf>
On June 28, 2023, the City Council authorized the City Manager to implement the Program to connect eligible properties to city water/wastewater/sewer infrastructure currently being developed through Dallas Water Utilities Department Unserved Areas Program by Resolution 23-0882.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
Unserved Septic to Sewer Program Fund |
$935,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
MAP
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