Why Is My Water Bill So High?
‘Why has my water bill increased so much?’ The answer to this common household question can vary from a simple explanation to a more complicated one. Either way, tracking down and resolving the cause of your high water bill should be right at the top of your to-do list.
Solving the issue early will help to reduce water waste, financial costs, potential damage and possibly even health issues. Keep reading for some typical causes to look out for, actionable steps to take, and useful advice for leak restoration.
What are the common causes of high water bills?
If your water bill is higher than usual, it may simply be down to more frequent water usage. However, it could also be the result of constant wastage, like a dripping tap or running toilet. To help you cover all bases, here’s a list of some other common causes:
- Broken water pipes and leaks – either indoors or outdoors
- New equipment usage, e.g. dishwasher, sprinkler or swimming pool
- Additional guests or family members staying over
- Valve issues on water softeners
- Incorrect meter readings
Remember, water usage often changes with the seasons. In winter, you may run more water to prevent pipes from freezing. In summer, you’re likely to use more water for garden tasks and activities.
What do I do if my water bill keeps rising?
Before anything, it’s important to properly understand your bill. Check for actual readings overestimated readings to find out the exact amount of water that has been used. Properly analyse this against possible causes to give yourself a more accurate perspective.
You should also check for leaks. Thousands of gallons of water can be lost due to water loss from areas such as faucets, toilets and damaged internal pipes. Firstly, look out for any constant running water. Then, check for internal plumbing leaks by:
- Identifying water staining on walls or ceilings.
- Turning off the water supply valve(s) and checking if your water meter still moves. If it does, this indicates a leak.
How to lower your water bill to save money
Nobody wants to be in a position where they’re struggling to pay their water bill, especially if it can be prevented. Improving water efficiency around the house by only using what you need can help. But, sometimes, the root cause can be out of your control – such as if a leak occurs. In this case, you should contact a specialist to fix the issue.
How Rainbow International can help
When a lot of water has leaked through your property, the damage can be tough to live with. As well as an eyesore, the standing water and/or stained area can lead to mould and unhygienic living conditions.
Rainbow International treats affected areas with drying methods to minimise secondary damage, protect structural integrity, and restore your property to its pre-incident condition as quickly and efficiently as possible.
With 25 years of experience in water leak detection and water damage restoration, you can call upon our experts to arrive with the technical knowledge and professionalism to get your property back to its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my water bill is too high?
If you’ve received a bill recently, try comparing that to your previous bill or one from the same time last year. If there appears to be a big difference, then it’s possible that your water bill is too high.
The meter reading was correct, and I don’t have a leak. Now what?
Assess other potential causes, such as seasonal usage, new equipment usage or higher levels of personal usage.
Is it cheaper to have a water meter?
With a water meter, you only pay for what you use. If you believe you use less water than what a fixed rate would estimate, a meter could make it cheaper to pay your bill.
Are water meters always accurate?
It’s rare for them to be inaccurate, but not unheard of. If you suspect an inaccurate reading, you should eliminate other causes first, such as leaks and increased usage.