Is your water bill high? Here are 8 possible reasons why

#1. A burst water pipe

As we covered previously, a burst water pipe can result in an increased water bill. This is because when a pipe bursts, water that was intended for use in your home will leak out, causing your water bill to skyrocket. So if you’ve received a water bill much higher than your last, this is a likely culprit.

To determine if you have a leak, you should: 

• Stop using all water in or outside the house (including taps, washing machine, dishwasher and toilets).
• Locate the water meter and note the digits on the meter (including the red digits and dials).
• Re-read the meter in an hour (remember, don’t use household water during this time). If the digits have moved, a leak is likely to be present.
• Turn off the water supply at the meter immediately to avoid excess water usage charges and call a licensed plumber.

If you suspect the leak might be underground, read our blog on how to find a water leak underground. 

#2. Old fixtures, toilets, taps, etc.

There have been many improvements in water efficiency for modern fixtures, toilets, and appliances. If you’ve moved into a new home and found that the water bill is higher than expected, try to identify and replace any old fixtures. This will save you money in the long run. When doing your changes, include new aerators for taps, low water usage toilets, water-saving showerheads, etc. 

#3. Seasonal changes 

Generally speaking, water usage is higher in the summer and lower in the winter. But, again, there are many reasons for this, including showering more often, needing to water the garden more, if you have children they are more likely to be home during the summer months, certain A/C systems use water to function, and if you have a pool, you will probably top it up more often once it gets hot. 

#4. Irrigation leaks

If you love your garden, you may have decided to get an irrigation system set up. This is an excellent time-efficient way to care for your beloved plants. Still, checking the lines carefully is essential – a leaky or inefficient irrigation system can cause serious water bill increases!

#5. Leaky toilets

Toilets are some of the most water-intensive fixtures, and if yours starts leaking, you’ve got a serious water guzzler on your hands! The easiest way to figure out if a leaky toilet is the cause of your high water bill is to walk up to any toilets in your home and listen for a hissing noise. If you hear a hiss, you’ve got a leaky toilet on your hands, and you should contact a professional plumber today. 

#6. Leaky taps and fixtures

Like leaky toilets, any leaky tap or fixture can be a reason for an abnormally high water bill. So if you receive a high water bill, one of the first things to do is to walk around your home and try and check all taps and fixtures for any signs of a leak. 

#7. It could be a mistake

Water bills are calculated from a water meter reading taken by a contractor for your utility company – and they are only human! Sometimes, the reading taken could be incorrect. 

If you receive an abnormally high water bill, it’s a good idea to check the reading listed on the bill against what is shown on your meter currently. This is to ensure no errors have been made (bearing in mind the meter will have changed since the contractor was there). If you do notice an unusually large discrepancy, then you should contact your water utility company immediately.

#8. General heavier water use

The reasons above highlight many reasons where something going wrong might cause a high water bill, but sometimes we need to be honest with ourselves: did you just use more water this month? Have you been working from home more often? Have you done more washing? Have you had people stay with you (and therefore used more water)? There are a whole host of totally normal reasons that your water bill might be high, and it’s essential to be honest with yourself in this assessment before worrying too much about a high water bill. 

That being said, this increased everyday water use shouldn’t provide you with a water bill that takes your breath away – if that does happen, be sure to contact us today.