My usage seems high or is higher than normal. What can I do?

Think back to the previous three months (the time period of the bill) – Were there more people living in or visiting the household? Did you have a leak that has since been repaired? Do you have an ongoing leak that you are aware of? Was it during the summer months when usage is typically higher because of watering flowers or gardens, washing cars, filling swimming pools, etc.? All of these can contribute to higher usage.

If you are unsure of the reason, here are a few suggestions to help you determine the reason for the increased use:

Check your toilets for leaks – Leaking toilets are the number one cause of higher usage and often go unnoticed until the water/sewer bill arrives. Place a few drops of food coloring in the back tank and wait 30 minutes, without flushing. If the food coloring seeps into the bowl, the toilet is leaking. Instead of using food coloring, we also have toilet dye strips available free of charge at the Authority office. They can be picked up at our office during normal business hours.
Check your water softener if you have one – These sometimes leak internally or externally allowing water to continue to pass through the system needlessly. If you can shut the water off to the softener, you can then check the water meter to see if the meter stops moving. Also, make sure it is recycling properly.
Check all outside spigots – Make sure they are turned off and not leaking through the fixture or attached hoses.

The water meter is typically located in your basement where the water line enters your home. However, some water meters are located in a crawl space or in a meter pit. It has a black, flip-top lid with a copper-colored base. Once you locate your meter:

Check your water meter – Open the flip-top lid and check to see if the leak indicator is moving (the small, silver, flower-shaped wheel in the middle of the meter). If it is moving when no water is being used, this indicates the presence of a leak.
Read your water meter – Open the flip-top lid to see the register. When everyone is finished using water for the night, write down the reading. First thing in the morning before anyone uses water, write down the reading again. It should be the same. If not, this indicates the presence of a leak.

If you find any leaks in your home, repair them as soon as possible. Prompt repairs of any leaks could eliminate a significant increase on your next bill. If you found no reason for the increased usage after performing these troubleshooting tips, then you may have used more water than you think. If you still believe there may be an issue, then you may want to call a licensed plumber to check your internal plumbing to help determine the possible cause of your higher usage.

If you are comparing your bill or usage to that of your neighbors’, friends’ or family members’, make sure you are doing so with like-sized households. Also, keep in mind that everyone uses water differently. Some people take longer showers, run their dishwashers daily, wash more loads of laundry per week, or have leaky toilets or faucets. Also, some people like to water flowers, wash cars, etc. All these contribute to higher use and higher bills.