Wichita Falls Sewer Fees & Storm Drain Rules

Utilities and Infrastructure Texas 4 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026 Flag of Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas manages sewer service charges and stormwater discharge through city ordinances and departmental rules. This guide summarizes where fees and limits are set, who enforces them, how enforcement works, and practical steps for residents and businesses to comply or report problems. It cites the municipal code and department pages for official procedures and directs you to contact points for permits, complaints, and appeals. If a specific fee or numeric discharge limit is not stated on the cited official page, this article notes that explicitly and links to the controlling source for verification.

Overview

The city’s municipal code and the Utilities and Public Works departments establish billing for sanitary sewer service and controls on storm drain discharges. Exact fee schedules, industrial discharge authorizations, and illicit-discharge prohibitions are set by ordinance or departmental policy; users should consult the municipal code and the Utilities and Public Works webpages for authoritative text and updates. Wichita Falls Code of Ordinances[1] provides the controlling ordinance language for city bylaws.

Always verify the current ordinance text before relying on a specific fee or limit.

How sewer fees and storm drain limits are set

Sewer fees are typically adopted by city council ordinance or by utility rate resolution and reflect treatment costs, capital recovery, and administrative charges. Storm drain discharge rules are set to prevent illicit discharges and protect the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).

  • Rate adoption: council ordinance or utility rate resolution; see Utilities department rules and fee schedule on the city site. Utilities department[2]
  • Discharge controls: illicit discharge and industrial pretreatment requirements found in municipal code chapters addressing stormwater and wastewater. Public Works / Stormwater[3]
  • Permits and variances: may be required for non-routine discharges or connections; check department guidance for application process.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement authority is exercised by city departments designated in the municipal code, commonly Public Works, Utilities, or Code Enforcement. Fines, remedies, and escalation procedures appear in the code or in implementing regulations; if a precise fine amount or escalation schedule is not printed on the cited official page, that fact is noted here and the code is cited for the controlling instrument.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the municipal code and the Utilities fee schedule for precise amounts. Code of Ordinances[1]
  • Escalation: first offence, repeat or continuing offence treatment is set by ordinance or administrative rule and may include daily continuing fines; details are not specified on the cited page. Code of Ordinances[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: compliance orders, abatement, permit suspension or revocation, and injunctive relief or court action are available under city code.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: Public Works and Utilities receive complaints and conduct inspections; see department contact pages in Help and Support / Resources below for submission and reporting procedures.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are set by ordinance or administrative rule; specific statutory appeal periods are not specified on the cited page and must be confirmed in the code or the enforcement notice.
Failure to correct violations promptly can trigger daily continuing penalties and lien actions.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes application forms for utility service and may publish industrial or commercial discharge permit forms through Utilities or Public Works. Where a specific form name or number is not posted on the cited official pages, this article states that no official form is specified and points readers to the department contact for the correct application.

  • Residential sewer service sign-up: check Utilities billing or customer service for the service agreement and deposit information. Utilities department[2]
  • Industrial discharge permits or pretreatment applications: not specified on the cited municipal pages; contact Public Works/Utilities for the application and technical requirements. Public Works / Stormwater[3]

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Illicit connections to storm drain: compliance order, removal requirement, possible fines.
  • Unauthorized industrial discharge: corrective actions, monitoring orders, and potential permit revocation.
  • Failure to pay sewer charges: late fees, collection actions, service termination.
Report visible spills to Public Works immediately to reduce environmental harm and liability.

Action steps

  • To apply for service: contact Utilities customer service for application and deposit requirements. Utilities department[2]
  • To report a spill or illicit discharge: call the Public Works complaint line and submit photos, location, and time.
  • To appeal an enforcement action: follow the appeal instructions on the enforcement notice and consult the municipal code for deadlines (not specified on the cited page).

FAQ

How are sewer fees calculated?
Sewer fees are set by ordinance or utility resolution and typically reflect wastewater treatment, infrastructure, and administrative costs; specific rate tables are published by the Utilities department or in the adopted budget and fee schedule. See Utilities.[2]
What are the storm drain discharge limits?
The municipal code establishes controls on illicit discharges and industrial discharges; numeric pollutant limits and monitoring requirements for industrial users are set by ordinance or permit and are not specified on the cited municipal summary page. See Code of Ordinances.[1]
How do I report a suspected illicit discharge?
Contact Public Works or Utilities immediately with location, photos, and description; the city will investigate and may issue orders or penalties as required.

How-To

  1. Identify and document the issue: take photos, note time and exact location.
  2. Contact the city Public Works or Utilities complaint line and provide your documentation.
  3. Follow up in writing if requested and preserve copies of any notices or correspondence.
  4. If you receive an enforcement notice you wish to contest, follow the appeal instructions on the notice and file within the stated deadline.

Key Takeaways

  • Municipal code and department pages are the authoritative sources for fees and limits.
  • Report spills promptly to reduce harm and potential penalties.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Wichita Falls - Code of Ordinances
  2. [2] City of Wichita Falls - Utilities Department
  3. [3] City of Wichita Falls - Public Works / Stormwater

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