Using Houston 311: How to Report Potholes, Flooding and Illegal Dumping

Houston 311 is the city’s help and information line for non-emergency services. It is the fastest way to put a problem on the city’s official to-do list, and the service request number it gives you is your proof that the city was told.

How to reach 311

• Phone: dial 311 inside the city, or call the city’s full 311 number from outside it.
• App and website: the Houston 311 app and the city’s online portal let you submit requests with photos and a map location.
• For emergencies, including fires, crimes in progress and dangerous flooding, always call 911.

What to report

• Potholes and damaged streets.
• Street and ditch flooding and blocked storm drains.
• Missed garbage, recycling or heavy trash pickups.
• Illegal dumping of tyres, furniture and construction debris.
• Broken streetlights and traffic signals.
• Weeded lots and abandoned vehicles.

How to write a request that gets results

1. Be precise about location: an address, the nearest cross street, or a map pin.
2. Add photos, especially for dumping and flooding.
3. Describe the impact: “standing water blocks the school bus stop” is more useful than “flooding”.
4. Write down the service request number.

Following up

• Check the status of your request online with the service request number.
• If the request is closed without the problem being fixed, submit a new one and mention the old number.
• If a problem keeps coming back, contact your district council member’s office and give them the request numbers. Council offices can escalate issues with city departments.

Illegal dumping

Illegal dumping is one of the most common complaints in north and northeast Houston. If you see dumping in progress, note the time, a description of the vehicle and the licence plate if it is safe to do so, and report it. Never confront people who are dumping.

For more on how your council office fits in, read how Houston City Council works.