Getting Rid of a Water Heater in Killeen Takes One Extra Step
A water heater doesn't fit in a trash can and the city won't grab it off your curb on a normal Tuesday. It's classified as bulky waste, same bucket as a stove or a washer, and Killeen has three real ways to move it out of your garage. Two are free. One pays you.
Before You Move It
Shut off the gas valve or breaker first. Then hook a garden hose to the drain valve near the bottom of the tank and run it outside or into a floor drain until it's empty. A standard 40-50 gallon tank holds close to 350 pounds of water, and nobody is lifting that. Disconnect the water lines and, if it's gas, the vent pipe. Give it a few minutes to cool if it was recently running hot water.
Option 1: Killeen Transfer Station (Free, Mostly)
This is the straightforward route if you own a truck or trailer. The Transfer Station lists water heaters directly on its accepted-appliance page, alongside stoves, washers, and dryers. Bring your current City of Killeen utility bill as proof of residency. Up to 500 pounds a month is included at no charge; past that it's $4 per 100 pounds. A single water heater, drained, won't come close to that limit on its own.
| Location | Address | Phone | Hours | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen Transfer Station | 12200 State Highway 195, Killeen, TX 76549 | (254) 501-8971 | Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8am-5pm, Wed/Sat 8am-3pm, closed Sun and 4th Sat of month | Free under 500 lbs/month, then $4/100 lbs |
| Killeen Recycling Center | 111 E Avenue F, Killeen, TX 76541 | (254) 554-7572 | Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, closed Sat/Sun | Unconfirmed for water heaters — call ahead |
| Cen-Tex Scrap & Metal | 12800 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542 | (254) 526-4600 | Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-12pm, closed Sun | Cash paid, price varies — call ahead |
Source: [Insert Official Killeen Transfer Station Link Here] | [Insert Official Killeen Recycling Center Link Here]
Option 2: Curbside Bulk Pickup
No truck, no problem. Set the drained water heater at the curb on your regular scheduled trash day and Killeen Solid Waste will pick it up as bulk waste. The charge lands on your monthly utility bill rather than being paid on the spot. Ask for it on a day outside your normal schedule and you'll get hit with what the city calls a Premium Service Fee, so timing it to your existing pickup day saves money. Call Solid Waste at (254) 501-7785 if you're not sure which day that is or if your unit has any refrigerant-related restrictions.
Option 3: Sell It for Scrap
A water heater is mostly steel with copper and brass fittings, which means it has scrap value. Cen-Tex Scrap & Metal on TX-195 buys metal by weight and takes walk-ins during business hours, no appointment needed. Bring ID; Texas law requires it for regulated metal sales. Prices move with the metal market, so call ahead for a current quote rather than assuming a number from last month.
Option 4: Retailer Haul-Away With a New Unit
If you're replacing the water heater rather than just removing it, Home Depot and Lowe's both include haul-away of the old tank as part of a paid professional installation. Neither store accepts a walk-in drop-off of an old unit on its own — the service is tied to buying and installing a new one through their contractor network. Confirm haul-away is included when you book, since terms can shift by location. [Insert Official Home Depot Killeen Installation Link Here]
Common Mistakes
Setting a full tank at the curb is the most common one. Three hundred and fifty pounds of water makes the unit nearly impossible for a two-person crew to lift, and it can get skipped entirely. Skip the drain step and you're looking at a second trip. Another mistake is dropping it off at the Recycling Center on Avenue F expecting the same rules as the Transfer Station — they're two different facilities with two different accepted-item lists. Confusing them wastes a trip.
FAQ
Is it free to dump a water heater in Killeen?
Yes, at the Transfer Station, as long as your total load that month stays under 500 pounds and you show a current utility bill.
Can I just leave it on the curb with my regular trash?
No. It has to go out as a scheduled bulk item, and the fee goes on your utility bill, not paid in cash at the curb.
Does Home Depot take old water heaters without buying a new one?
No. Haul-away is only included with a paid installation of a new unit through their service.
Do I need a permit to dispose of a water heater?
No permit is required to dispose of the old unit. A plumbing permit may apply if you're installing a new one, which is a separate matter from disposal.
Will a scrap yard pay me for it?
Cen-Tex Scrap & Metal buys it by weight for cash, but the price depends on the current metal market, so call before you drive over.
Data last verified August 2026 against official City of Killeen solid waste sources. Hours, fees, and accepted items can change without notice. Call ahead before making a trip.
If you've got a truck and a drained tank, the Transfer Station is the cheapest and fastest option in Killeen. If you don't, call Solid Waste at (254) 501-7785 and get it added to your next scheduled bulk pickup day. Water heater rules vary city to city even within Central Texas — Wichita Falls handles it a little differently, so don't assume the same steps apply if you're moving between the two. For other bulky household items, the Household Items guide list covers what else the Transfer Station will and won't take.
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