Short answer

Most Melissa homes inside the city get water and sewer from the City of Melissa, whose water and wastewater emergency line is 972-837-4222. Some rural addresses around Melissa are served by North Collin Special Utility District instead, on (972) 837-2331. Your water bill tells you which one you have. Leaks on your side of the meter are yours to repair, and the city will adjust one bill for a qualifying underground leak.

Two water providers: check your bill first

Melissa is one of the fastest-growing cities in Collin County. The Census Bureau counted 13,901 residents in 2020 and estimated about 26,194 by July 2024, an increase of roughly 88% (Census QuickFacts). Much of the city's housing is new, but the water service map is older than the subdivisions, and two different utilities serve the area:

  • City of Melissa handles water, sewer and trash for addresses it serves inside the city. Water and wastewater emergencies go to on-call Public Works on 972-837-4222. Utility Billing is on 972-838-2035 during office hours (city utility billing).
  • North Collin Special Utility District (NCSUD) serves rural north Collin County from its office at 2333 Sam Rayburn Hwy. It has about 3,800 customers and buys its water from the North Texas Municipal Water District. Its number, (972) 837-2331, covers office hours and after-hours on-call (NCSUD).

We couldn't find an official map showing which addresses fall under which provider, so the quickest check is the name on your water bill. It matters when something goes wrong at the meter or in the street, and it also decides which watering schedule applies to you.

Map of Melissa and McKinney, TexasMelissa is highlighted. McKinney's city limits split into ZIP codes 75069 (central and downtown), 75070 (west), 75071 (north), 75072 (south) and a small part of 75454 at the northern edge. Around it are Prosper and Frisco to the west, Allen, Fairview and Lucas to the south, Princeton to the east, and Melissa and Anna to the north. US 75 runs north to south through McKinney, US 380 east to west, and SH 121 along the south.75121380DNTAllenAnnaFairviewFriscoLucasMelissaPrincetonProsper7506975070750717507275454 (small part)Downtown5 milesN
  • Melissa city limits
  • McKinney, by ZIP code
  • Other nearby cities
  • Major highway
  • Collin County line
  • Historic downtown square
City limits and ZIP areas from US Census Bureau TIGER data. Coverage for a particular address depends on the plumbing business.

Leaks: yours or the utility's?

The City of Melissa's leak policy treats the line from the meter to your foundation as the customer's side, so a break there is yours to have repaired. Leaks at the meter, in the meter box or in the street are the utility's to fix: call the emergency number above rather than a plumber.

That last list is worth reading twice. A running toilet or a leaking irrigation valve can add thousands of gallons to a bill and won't qualify, so finding it early is the only protection. Our high water bill guide walks through the meter test, and the running toilet guide covers the most common culprit. The city also warns that a faulty water softener timer can waste hundreds of gallons a day (city FAQ).

Where Melissa's water comes from

The City of Melissa's 2025 water quality report says its water comes from the North Texas Municipal Water District's Wylie and Leonard treatment plants, fed by Lavon Lake, Bois d'Arc Lake and other NTMWD sources. The city also operates a well, Country Ridge, that draws from the Woodbine Aquifer (2025 water quality report).

Two practical points follow:

  • Chloramine. The water is disinfected with chloramines, and NTMWD switches to free chlorine for about a month each spring. That matters for aquariums and some filters.
  • Hard water. NTMWD describes its treated water as moderately hard, so expect scale on aerators and sediment in water heaters. Our hard water guide covers what that means in grains per gallon and whether a softener is worth it.

The city says it has no lead service lines and no galvanized lines requiring replacement in its system (Water/Wastewater). That covers the utility's lines, not the plumbing inside your home.

Permits and inspections

Melissa's rule is broad: nothing may be installed, replaced, repaired or altered on a building or its service equipment without a permit (residential and commercial permit information). The city doesn't list water heaters separately, so if you're replacing one, ask the plumber to confirm the permit.

  • Where to apply: the city's Camino permitting portal. Residential permits typically take 7 to 10 working days (residential permits).
  • Permit office: 972-838-2036, 3411 Barker Ave.
  • Inspections are contracted to Bureau Veritas, on (877) 837-8775. Requests in by 5 p.m. are usually inspected the next business day (inspections).
  • Code: Melissa has adopted the 2021 International Plumbing Code, along with the 2021 residential and fuel gas codes (adopted codes). McKinney, by comparison, moved to the 2024 edition in October 2025.
  • Contractor registration: every contractor working in Melissa has to register with the city each calendar year. Homeowners working on their own home are exempt (code of ordinances). Asking whether a plumber is registered in Melissa is a quick, fair check alongside their state license. See choosing a plumber.

Watering schedules

The two providers set different rules:

  • City of Melissa: from April 1 to October 31, at most twice a week; from November 1 to March 31, at most once a week. No irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Suggested days follow your trash day (irrigation and conservation).
  • North Collin SUD (rules effective June 24, 2025): no watering on Monday, Tuesday or Friday, and none between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Even-numbered addresses water on Sunday and Thursday; odd-numbered addresses on Saturday and Wednesday (NCSUD notice).

With such a large share of new homes, many irrigation systems in Melissa are still under their first owner. A broken head or a stuck zone valve is one of the most common reasons for a sudden bill jump, and as noted above, sprinkler leaks don't qualify for the city's adjustment.

Useful Melissa numbers

  • City of Melissa water and wastewater emergencies: 972-837-4222
  • North Collin SUD: (972) 837-2331
  • City Utility Billing: 972-838-2035
  • Building permits: 972-838-2036
  • Bureau Veritas inspections: (877) 837-8775
  • Gas smell: leave the building and call 911 or your gas utility from outside

These are official utility and city lines, not plumbing referrals. We're not affiliated with the City of Melissa or North Collin SUD.

Getting a plumber in Melissa

Melissa sits a few miles north of McKinney along US 75 and SH 121, and we accept requests from Melissa addresses. Each plumbing business sets its own travel area, so whether a particular plumber covers your street depends on the business. If we can't find a match, we'll tell you. For local context on the McKinney side, see our McKinney service area page.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I call for a water emergency in Melissa?

If the City of Melissa provides your water, call 972-837-4222 for on-call Public Works. If North Collin Special Utility District does, call (972) 837-2331, which also covers after-hours. The name on your water bill tells you which one serves you.

Will Melissa adjust my bill after a leak?

The City of Melissa adjusts the most recent affected bill for underground line breaks between the meter and the foundation, if you request it within 30 days of the repair and provide proof. Toilets, faucets, sprinklers, pools and pipes inside walls don't qualify.

Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Melissa?

Melissa requires a permit to install, replace, repair or alter building service equipment, and doesn't list water heaters as an exception. Ask your plumber to confirm and pull the permit through the city's Camino portal.

What ZIP code is Melissa?

Melissa's city address is 75454. Part of the 75454 ZIP code also extends into the northern edge of McKinney.