Is your water bill too high?

Average water bill costs vary depending on your household size and water usage. However, if your water bill seems unusually high, you may have a leak. Check the following to determine if a leak is present. 


Toilets

The flapper is the most common source of problems.

  1. Turn the water supply valve off at the toilet and watch the level in the toilet bowl. If the level drops, replace the flapper and clean the flapper seal in the toilet tank.
  2. In addition, check the level in the tank. After flushing, the water should shut off when the tank level is about ½ inch to 1 inch below the overflow. If water does not shut off at this level, adjust the float in the toilet water tank.
  3. Use the dye test to confirm a toilet leak. Dye packets and instructions are available upon request.
Water Softeners

  1. After the softener has regenerated, check to see if water is still running down the drain.
  2. If it is, the softener needs to be repaired.
  3. Consider turning off and bypassing your softener. Remember, the Water Treatment Plant softens your water for you!
Faucets

  1. Ensure all faucets are fully turned off.
  2. If a faucet continues to drip, repair or replace it.
Furnace Humidifier

  1. Inspect the humidifier float to make sure that it is shutting off the fill water at the level recommended by the manufacturer.
  2. Check your owner's manual for details.
Overnight Leak Check

  1. Locate your water meter inside your house.
  2. Read and record it in the evening when you are done using water for the day. If you have a softener, pick a day that your softener will not be regenerating.
  3. Read it again the next morning before you use any water. If your meter reading changed overnight when no one was using water, you have a leak.
If you find a leak, get it fixed as soon as possible.