The Public Utility Commission of Texas regulates the state's electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implements respective legislation, and provides customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints.
This page lists questions used in determining whether there is a need to establish a new water or sewer utility and, if the need exists, how to do so.
Before bringing water or sewer service to a new development, you must first consider the following questions:
If you determine that you need to set up a new utility, you may wish to contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to learn which permits and/or approvals are required. TCEQ can also provide the requirements for designing and building a water or sewer system.
If, after contacting the PUCT, you believe that you have the resources to establish a successful new water or sewer utility, one option available is to create a sole proprietorship or a for-profit water or sewer utility corporation (called an investor-owned utility, or IOU, under the PUC's rules). Another option is to create a nonprofit water supply or sewer service corporation (WSC). To pursue either of these options, you must:
For information about these utility types and their regulations, see Rules and Guidance for Water Utilities.
Water: What is My Source presents options for determining whether there is an entity that provides retail water or sewer utility service to your area and, if so, who does
DUO is committed to help retail water and sewer public utilities to understand, navigate and achieve regulatory compliance with the PUCT.