Address

  • Pharr Public Utilities
  • 801 E Sam Houston Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577
  • (956) 402-4300

Mailing Address

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The Distribution & Collection Division (WD) is one of the most called upon divisions. The WD is the primary division to receive calls from customers concerning water leaks, sewer problems and other utilities issues in Pharr.  The WD is responsible for repairing water breaks, installing and replacing water meters, fire hydrants, sewer breaks, installing water lines and sewer lines, water and sewer line spotting and manholes. Furthermore, it reviews all new development’s engineering plans.  The division receives and completes over 3,000 work orders per year.

The Wastewater Collection System (WWCS) is essential in moving sewer from your home to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The WWCS is vital to the health of a community.  The city spent over $40 million is revamping much of the old WWCS and the city continues to plan to improve the WWCS.  The WWCS consists of: sewer force main pipes, gravity sewer pipes, manholes and 33 lift stations.

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Services (lists not all-inclusive)

Water Related Services

Water Leaks

Broken / Leaking Water Meter
If water is leaking from your water meter, the meter is broken, and/or the meter box is damaged, please contact the Utilities Department at (956) 402-4300.

Broken / Leaking Water Main
The City of Pharr maintains all water mains in the street right-of-way of the City. If you observe a broken main, water running from the ground or a paved surface, or a leaking fire hydrant, please contact the Utilities Department at (956) 402-4300. After 5:00 pm or weekends, please call (956) 402 – 4444.

Broken / Leaking Water Pipes
The City of Pharr maintains all water mains and services in the street right-of-way up to the water meter. If pipes are broken after the meter or inside the property/building, the pipe must be repaired by the property owner or a plumber hired by the property owner. If there is an emergency requiring the water to be cut off to stop damage, or if you need the water cut off to make a repair, please contact the Utilities Department at (956) 402–4300.

Traveling Meters

Persons with a special need for one-time use of a hydrant to obtain a large volume of water for construction purposes may obtain permission at the Utilities Department located at 801 E Sam Houston, Pharr, TX to use a hydrant and traveling meter. Traveling meters are leased on a first come first serve basis.  If a traveling meter is not available, the contractor may provide their own but must bring it to the Utilities Department to obtain a reading and for installation.  A $325.00 deposit and $30.00 installation fee is required to be paid at the Billing Division located at 118 S Cage Blvd, 1st Floor once permission is granted and before installation.

Underground Locates / Call Before You Dig

State law requires that any person digging anywhere in Texas must notify all utility companies and give them a 48 hours prior notice to mark their underground facilities before starting to dig. The City of Pharr Public Utilities Department, like most utility companies in the state, is a member of Texas811.  Texas811 provides a service for all members by receiving calls for locate requests and transmitting the information by computer to its members. If you plan to do any digging, please call Texas811 by dialing 811. If you need city water and sewer facility locations for an emergency, you may contact the Utilities Department at (956) 402–4300.

Fire Hydrant Maintenance

Fire hydrants are an important part of the city water distribution system.  They are for the purpose of supplying water for use by the Fire Department for fighting fires and by the Public Utilities Department for maintaining and flushing of the system.  Hydrants are tested semi-annually by the Fire Department to ensure proper operation and are repaired by the Utilities Department when needed.  Persons who observe leaking or broken hydrants should call the Utilities Department at (956) 402–4300 between 8:00am – 5:00pm or (956) 402–4444 after hours.

Fire Hydrant Usage
The use of fire hydrants in the City of Pharr by private individuals is prohibited unless special permission is granted and a meter has been issued to measure the water used. Use of hydrants without permission of the City is strictly prohibited, as this may prevent use during an emergency or may deplete the water supply. Hydrants being used without a meter should be reported to the Utilities Department at (956) 402–4300 or the Fire Department at (956) 402-4400.

New Water Connections

All water meters for new water service in the City of Pharr must be purchased from the city. In residential subdivisions, the developer installs the water service before the lots are sold. On existing streets and in commercial areas where new water meters are required, the builder must hire a contractor to install the needed service after obtaining a permit. The meter fees must be paid to the Billing division located at 118 S Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX. The order for installation of the meter is transferred electronically to the Public Utilities Department.  Installation normally takes between 5-7 business days (excluding weekends and holidays).

Sewer Related Services

Stopped Sewer

Most sewer stoppages in individual buildings are caused by roots and/or grease in the lines owned by the property owner. If the plumbing fixtures simply will not drain, the property owner is advised to contact the Utilities Department at (956) 402-4300 to have personnel check the City lines. Should the problem be on the owner’s side and the City lines are running fine, the owner is advised to contact a plumber.

Broken Sewer Main and Sewer Overflows

Persons observing sewage overflowing from manholes, broken pipes, or cracks in the pavement should notify the Utilities Department immediately at (956) 402–4300 or (956) 402-4444 after hours, weekends or holidays.

Sewer Odors

When plumbing fixtures are installed inside a building, a water trap is placed under each fixture to prevent odors from escaping into the building and vent pipes are run through the roof to allow odors to escape to the atmosphere. Sewer odors inside a building are usually an indication that something is wrong with the plumbing system and the system should be checked by a plumbing repair service. The water may evaporate from floor drains and sinks that are not used for a long period of time, allowing odors to escape. Pouring a little water into the plumbing fixture may solve this problem. Sewer odors outside of a building may be an indication that the City sewer main is stopped up and/or broken. If sewer odors are noticed outside of a building, please contact the Utilities Department at (956) 402–4300 immediately.

Excavation Permits

In residential subdivisions, the developer installs the sewer service before the lots are sold. On existing streets and in commercial areas where new sewer services are required, the builder must hire a contractor to install the needed services after obtaining a permit.  An excavation permit from the Public Utilities Department located at 801 E Sam Houston, Pharr, TX is required prior to connecting to the city sewer main.  The permit is $10.00 payable by check or money order only and the licensed plumber must present his Certificate of Insurance at that time.  The sewer connection fees must be paid to the Development Services at the time the plumbing permit is obtained. The order for location of the sewer service takes between 5-7 business days (excluding weekends and holidays).

Manholes

Persons observing sewage overflowing from manholes, cracks in the pavement surrounding the manhole, a broken or missing manhole lid should notify the Utilities Department immediately at (956) 402–4300 or (956) 402-4444 after hours, weekends or holidays.