Hidden leaks waste water and can damage floors and foundations. Find the source within days, not months.
Emergency, or can it wait?
Call right away if…
- Meter spinning fast
- Water surfacing or pooling
Usually OK to schedule if…
- Slow meter movement with no visible water
Signs of high water bill
What causes it
Running toilet
A worn flapper or misadjusted fill valve can waste large amounts of water silently.
Irrigation leaks
Broken sprinkler heads and buried line leaks.
Hidden supply leak
Pipes inside walls, under slabs or underground between the meter and house.
Dripping fixtures
Faucets, showerheads and outdoor spigots add up over a month.
Water softener stuck in regeneration
A malfunctioning softener control valve can keep sending water to the drain, using hundreds of gallons without any visible leak.
Leaking pool, spa or fountain
Auto-fill valves on pools and fountains can run continuously to replace water lost to a leak.
What you can check yourself
- Do a meter test with everything off
- Put food coloring in toilet tanks
- Turn off irrigation and retest
- Close the house shutoff to isolate the service line
What happens when a plumber arrives
- Read the meter, wait an hour with no water use, and read it again.
- Check toilets with dye tablets in the tank.
- Shut off irrigation and check the meter again.
- Listen near the water softener and other equipment for water running to the drain.
- Use acoustic or thermal leak detection for suspected hidden leaks.
Repair options
| Option | When it’s used |
|---|---|
| Toilet flapper or fill valve | Dye test shows a leak |
| Irrigation repair | Leak stops when irrigation is off |
| Leak detection and repair | Meter moves with all fixtures off |
| Service line repair | Leak between meter and house |
High Water Bill: questions homeowners ask
How do I check for a leak with my water meter?
Turn off all fixtures and appliances, then watch the meter’s low-flow indicator. Any movement means water is flowing somewhere.
Can a running toilet really raise my bill that much?
Yes. A constantly running toilet can waste a large amount of water each day, often more than all normal use.
Will my utility adjust a bill after a leak?
Many utilities offer one-time leak adjustments once you show the leak was repaired. Ask your utility.
Why is my bill high in summer?
Irrigation is the usual reason, but summer is also when broken sprinkler lines go unnoticed.
Who fixes a leak between the meter and the house?
That service line is usually the homeowner’s responsibility. A plumber can locate and repair it.
Could my water meter be wrong?
It’s possible but uncommon. Rule out leaks first; if the meter shows no flow but the bills stay high, ask the utility to test or check the meter.
