An unusually high water bill is most often caused by a leak or change in water use. Here are a few things to check for if you get a bill that's higher than usual.

Changes in your water use
Did you have house guests, water your lawn more than usual, or do anything else out of the ordinary in the last month that uses a lot of water? If so, this may account for an increase in your water bill.

Check for leaks

Toilet and faucet leaks
Some leaks are easy to find, such as a dripping faucet or running toilet. You can usually hear a running toilet, but not always, so check toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank—if color appears in the bowl after a few minutes, you have a leak and probably need to replace the flapper valve.

A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day. That can double a family’s typical water use, so fix toilet leaks as soon as possible!

Outdoor and underground leaks
Leaks can also occur in harder to find places, such as under your house or in the service line between your water meter and your home. Check outdoor spigots and crawl spaces, and look for wet spots in your yard, which may indicate a leak.

How to use your water meter to check for leaks
The little red triangle on the meter dial is a leak indicator. It spins whenever water is going through the meter—the more water going through, the faster it spins. Check for leaks by turning off anything inside and outside your home that uses water, then check the meter. If that little triangle moves, even barely, that means water is going through the meter, and you probably have a leak.  

The red triangle on the water meter dial is a leak indicator. If it's spinning, that means water is passing through the meter.

Keep in mind that your private plumbing system begins on your side of the water meter, so anything beyond that point is up to you to fix. Consider contacting a licensed plumber to help find or fix the problem. If you find a leak and repair it, contact us about qualifying for a one-time leak adjustment on your sewer charges. We may ask you to provide proof of repair in order to qualify.

If you’ve checked all of the above and can’t find an explanation for your high bill, contact our Customer Service Department at (843) 727-6800 or send us an e-mail for additional assistance.