3 Potential Reasons Why Your Water Bill Is Higher Than Usual

If you experienced a bit of sticker shock when you received your water bill in the mail, you could be wondering why it's higher than usual. Different things can cause your water bill to fluctuate from month to month, but if your bill is significantly higher than usual, consider these possible reasons.

1. You Have a Leak

First and foremost, you should check to see if you have a leak in your home. You can often tell if this is the case if your water meter is moving rapidly even when no one in the house is using the sink, shower or toilet. You might be surprised by how much water your average leak can use throughout a month, even if the leak does not seem that serious. Check your plumbing pipes for any potential leaks, and make sure that your toilet isn't running. If you think you have a leak but can't find it, working with a plumber can help you get to the bottom of the problem.

2. Your Meter Was Read Incorrectly

If you don't have a leak in your home but still think that your water bill is much higher than it should be, there is a chance that the water company might have made an error. For example, the person who read your meter to check your monthly water usage might have done so incorrectly. In many cases, you can ask the water company to send someone out for another reading if you think there is a discrepancy.

3. Your Water Company Gave an "Estimate"

In some cases, water companies don't actually go out and physically read the meters. Instead, they might make an estimate based off of the amount of water that you used around the same time last year or off of the average water bill from the people in your area. In some cases, this can work in your favor, but in others, the opposite can happen. If you call your water company and inquire about this, you should be able to find out if this is why your bill is higher than what you think it should be.

As you can see, there are various reasons why your water bill might be higher than usual. If you are unsure of what might be going on, you can contact a plumber to look for any leaks or your water company to find out more about your bill.