Montgomery County Sues Dayton Water Department: What Customers Should Know
Montgomery County, Ohio sued the City of Dayton Water Department over the parties’ 2018 water supply agreement. The County alleges Dayton overcharged it by at least $14 million over six years; Dayton denies the claim and filed a counterclaim. This guide explains the dispute in plain language and, more importantly, tells residents which official office to contact for bills, payment plans, emergencies, service issues and water-quality questions.
Do This First If You Are a Water Customer
Use Montgomery County Environmental Services for payment, water/sewer billing, payment plans and county emergency reporting.
County bill payUse Dayton Water / Utility Customer Service & Billing for payment, IVR, service requests and Dayton billing issues.
Dayton bill payCounty customers should call before the due date; Dayton customers should call Dayton Customer Service.
Payment helpUse the emergency number for the utility shown on your bill or service location.
Emergency contactsQuick Summary: Montgomery County vs Dayton Water Lawsuit
Who sued?
Montgomery County, Ohio sued the City of Dayton’s water department over the 2018 water supply agreement.
County allegation
The County alleges it was overcharged by at least $14 million over six years and says Dayton violated required cost-reporting procedures.
Dayton response
Dayton denies the allegations, says it complied with the agreement, and filed a counterclaim against Montgomery County in March 2025.
Customer rule
Keep paying the utility listed on your bill. The lawsuit does not mean customers should stop paying or switch payment portals.
Timeline of the Montgomery County and Dayton Water Dispute
| Date / period | What happened | Why it matters to residents |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Montgomery County and Dayton negotiated a water supply agreement. | This agreement is the contract the lawsuit centers on. |
| December 2023 and February 2024 | Reporting on the complaint says the County sent letters to Dayton trying to resolve the dispute through informal discussion. | Shows the disagreement did not start with the court filing. |
| February 14, 2025 | Montgomery County filed suit against the City of Dayton Water Department. | County said it could no longer absorb what it views as unjustified costs. |
| February 2025 | County statements said alleged overcharges totaled at least $14 million over six years and warned county residents could see higher bills if unresolved. | Residents should watch future county water/sewer rate notices, not panic over one bill. |
| March 28, 2025 | Dayton filed a counterclaim and said it had complied with the 2018 agreement in good faith. | Both sides are now making claims through litigation. |
| Now | The dispute remains a court/legal matter unless resolved by settlement, ruling or a new public agreement. | Customers should rely on their own utility bill and official notices for payments, due dates and rate changes. |
What the Lawsuit Is Really About
2018 water agreement
The dispute centers on how the 2018 water supply agreement should be interpreted and followed.
Cost-of-service model
The County says Dayton failed to follow required reporting protocol tied to a cost-of-service model. Dayton says the agreement and rate process were followed.
Government-to-government billing
This is not a normal individual customer billing dispute. It involves wholesale/service-cost terms between the County and the City of Dayton.
County’s Position vs Dayton’s Position
| Topic | Montgomery County says | City of Dayton says |
|---|---|---|
| Agreement compliance | Dayton directly violated the 2018 Water Supply Agreement. | Dayton says it fully complied with the agreement in good faith. |
| Cost impact | The alleged breach caused the County to be overcharged by at least $14 million over six years. | Dayton says its infrastructure investments and high-quality water operations come at a cost. |
| Rate process | The County says Dayton failed to follow required cost-of-service reporting protocol despite requests. | Dayton says city and county staff worked with third-party financial consultants and the agreement process was followed. |
| Customer burden | The County says it has not passed the increased costs on to more than 230,000 customers, but warned customers could see higher bills if the dispute is unresolved. | Dayton’s counterclaim statement argues further reductions to county costs could shift burden to Dayton city residents. |
| Water quality / service | The County says it remains focused on safe, sustainable and affordable drinking water. | Dayton says it remains devoted to high-quality, affordable regional water services. |
Could the Lawsuit Affect Montgomery County Water Bills?
Possible, but not automatic: County statements warned that residents could see higher water bills if the dispute is not resolved, because the County said it can no longer keep absorbing the alleged unjustified costs. However, a lawsuit filing alone is not the same as an immediate bill increase. Customers should watch official Montgomery County Environmental Services rate notices and their own bill inserts.
What to do now
Pay your current bill on time, use official payment portals, and save all confirmations.
Watch notices
Look for official rate notices, public meeting agendas, bill inserts and Environmental Services updates.
Ask your utility
If your bill changes, call the billing office shown on your bill before assuming the lawsuit caused it.
Which Water Utility Should You Pay?
| Your situation | Use this official utility | Payment / phone path |
|---|---|---|
| Your bill says Montgomery County Environmental Services | Montgomery County Environmental Services | Pay Water Bill or call 937-781-2688. |
| Your bill says City of Dayton Water / Utility | City of Dayton Water / Utility Customer Service & Billing | Dayton Water Billing or call 937-333-3550. |
| You live in county service area but Dayton supplies wholesale water | Still pay the utility that bills you directly | Do not switch payment portals because of the lawsuit. |
| You are a tenant | Check your lease and the bill name | Your landlord, property manager, county, city or sub-meter company may control payment routing. |
| You have a main break or sewer backup | Call the emergency number for your provider | County: 937-781-2678. Dayton: 937-333-4905 / emergency service routing. |
Montgomery County Environmental Services Water Contacts
Customer Service & Billing
937-781-2688
Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM for water/sewer billing and account help.
Main break / sewer backup
937-781-2678
Use for water main breaks or sanitary sewer backups.
Water quality concern
937-781-2672
Use for County Environmental Services water quality concerns.
Main address
1850 Spaulding Road
Kettering, OH 45432.
City of Dayton Water Billing and Service Contacts
Billing / IVR
937-333-3550
Pay by IVR 24/7 or call for Dayton water/utility billing help.
Online pay
Use Dayton’s official water / utility billing and payment service for current customer account access and one-time payment.
Emergency dispatch
937-333-4905
Dayton pages list emergency dispatch service around the clock.
City Hall
101 W. Third Street
Dayton, OH 45402.
Payment Help: County Customers vs Dayton Customers
| Customer type | Payment help route | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County Environmental Services customer | Call 937-781-2688, Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM. | County payment-plan guidance says call before the due date; a plan cannot be set up if the bill is already past due. |
| City of Dayton customer | Call 937-333-3550 for payment plan or account questions. | Dayton payment-plan pages say to call customer service to set up a payment plan. |
| Customer with shutoff notice | Call the provider shown on the bill immediately. | Do not rely on mail, slow ACH posting or third-party payment sites when shutoff timing matters. |
| Tenant / landlord account | Check the account holder and lease first. | Billing rights and payment plans may depend on whether the owner or tenant is authorized on the account. |
Water Main Break, Sewer Backup or Emergency: Who to Call
Montgomery County Environmental Services
- Water main breaks or sanitary sewer backups: 937-781-2678.
- Water quality concern: 937-781-2672.
- General info: 937-781-2500.
- Billing: 937-781-2688.
City of Dayton Water
- Urgent water or sewer system maintenance: 937-333-4905.
- Emergency service is listed as available 24/7/365.
- Billing / IVR: 937-333-3550.
- Non-urgent issues can also be routed through Dayton Delivers.
Does the Lawsuit Mean the Water Is Unsafe?
No direct safety conclusion from the lawsuit alone. The reported lawsuit is about alleged breach of the 2018 water supply agreement, costs and reporting/model procedures. It is not a public notice saying customers should stop drinking the water. Montgomery County says its environmental lab tests more than 12,000 water samples each year and that county drinking water consistently meets or exceeds state and federal safety and quality standards. Dayton has also published water-quality and PFAS information through its official Water Department resources.
County customers
Use Montgomery County’s Water Quality resources and call 937-781-2672 for water quality concerns.
Dayton customers
Use Dayton Water’s official Water Quality and Director’s Letters pages for PFAS, testing and water-supply updates.
At-home concern
If water is discolored, smells unusual, has pressure problems, or follows a main break, contact your direct utility provider.
Resident Checklist During the County-Dayton Water Lawsuit
1. Match the bill logo
Look at the top of your bill. Montgomery County and City of Dayton use different customer-service routes.
2. Do not stop paying
The lawsuit does not suspend customer bills, due dates, late notices or service rules.
3. Watch official rate notices
Future rate changes should come through official utility notices, public meetings, bill inserts or posted rate pages.
4. Save payment proof
Keep confirmation numbers, screenshots, bank records and receipts until the account shows paid.
5. Use the right emergency phone
County main breaks/sewer backups: 937-781-2678. Dayton urgent maintenance: 937-333-4905.
6. Avoid rumor-based payment advice
Use your bill and official websites, not social posts or unrelated “pay water bill” pages.
Maps: Montgomery County Environmental Services and Dayton City Hall
Montgomery County Environmental Services
1850 Spaulding Road, Kettering, OH 45432.
City of Dayton City Hall
101 W. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402.
Official Links and Trusted Sources Used in This Guide
FAQs About Montgomery County Suing Dayton Water Department
Why did Montgomery County sue the City of Dayton Water Department?
Montgomery County alleges Dayton violated the 2018 Water Supply Agreement and overcharged the County by at least $14 million over six years. Dayton denies the allegations.
Is this lawsuit about my individual water bill?
Not directly. The lawsuit is mainly about government-to-government water supply costs and agreement compliance. Your bill still comes from your direct utility provider.
Should I keep paying my water bill during the lawsuit?
Yes. The lawsuit does not cancel bills, due dates, payment plans, shutoff notices or service rules. Keep paying the official utility listed on your bill.
Who do Montgomery County Environmental Services customers call for billing?
Call Montgomery County Environmental Services Customer Service and Billing at 937-781-2688, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Who do City of Dayton water customers call for billing?
Call Dayton Water / Utility Customer Service and Billing at 937-333-3550.
Could Montgomery County water bills go up because of the lawsuit?
County statements warned that customers could see higher bills if the dispute is not resolved, but a lawsuit filing does not automatically mean an immediate bill increase. Watch official county rate notices and bill inserts.
What did Dayton say in response to the lawsuit?
Dayton said it complied with the 2018 agreement in good faith and later filed a counterclaim. Dayton also said infrastructure investment and high-quality water operations carry costs.
What emergency number should county customers use?
Montgomery County customers should call 937-781-2678 for water main breaks or sanitary sewer backups.
What emergency number should Dayton water customers use?
Dayton water customers should use Dayton emergency service routing, including 937-333-4905 for urgent water or sewer system maintenance problems.
Does the lawsuit mean the water is unsafe?
No direct public safety conclusion follows from the lawsuit alone. The reported dispute is about agreement compliance, cost and rate procedures. Use official water-quality notices from your provider for safety information.
Where is Montgomery County Environmental Services located?
Montgomery County Environmental Services is located at 1850 Spaulding Road, Kettering, OH 45432.
Is this page official legal advice?
No. This is an independent informational guide for residents and water customers. For legal details, follow the court record and official statements from Montgomery County and the City of Dayton.
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