Has this happened to you? You’re sitting at the kitchen table paying your monthly bills and you discover one of your bills is way more expensive than you are used to. Now you must become your own brand of utilities-private-detective to figure out why and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
A water utility bill is likely to see this happen, but don’t worry, there are reasons for the increases and solutions to help lower your bill, and you don’t need to be a detective to figure them out. Read on to find out the most common reasons why your water bill keeps increasing and how you can get the cost down and keep it down every month.
Common Reasons Your Bill Increased
1. Running/Leaky Toilet
Toilets account for 31% of a home’s water usage on an average day. A leaky toilet can really do a number on your water bill. The rubber flapper inside the toilet tank can wear out over time which causes water to leak constantly into the toilet bowl. A leaky flapper can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. Over the course of the month, the cost of all that leaked water can add up to a pretty large amount, accounting for your bill increase.
How to Fix
The most common toilet leak is caused by a deteriorated flush valve. If the flapper at the bottom of the toilet tank doesn’t seal tightly, water will leak into the toilet bowl. Replace the faulty parts or call a plumber for help.
2. Faucets That Drip
A dripping faucet can also account for a higher bill, as it can leak up to 20 gallons a day and up to 1,000 gallons a year if you have a number of leaky faucets.
How to Fix
Check for leaks and that all your faucets are closed tight. A steady drip could mean the washer is worn and needs to be replaced. A step more is replacing your faucets if they are old and don’t work well anymore.
3. Water Line Leaks
Broken, leaky water pipes can result in the most serious and expensive leaks. The causes of cracks and breaks in water lines can range from old age to tree roots and burrowing animals. All which can do a good amount of damage to your water line.
How to Fix
Shut off all the water to your home and if your meter continues to run, chances are you have a water line or irrigation line leak. You will need to contact your city’s water utility department to figure out your next steps.
4. Faulty Water Softener
Your water softener’s backwash cycle is pre-set to regenerate regularly, so if the system gets stuck it will cycle continuously and waste water while doing so. The softener tank may even overfill and fail to empty.
How to Fix
If the softener tank is overfilling, the float valve may not be working properly. If water isn’t going into the tank, the float switch could be stuck. Otherwise, the motor may be faulty. Try to identify the issue before you call in an expert to fix it.
5. Changes in Water Usage
Since you use water at your own leisure, noticing when you are taking more of it than usual can be hard. And because you control this reason for increase, it can go unnoticed until you get the bill.
Everyday events can affect your water usage, like getting a new roommate or having family stay over, refilling your swimming pool, watering newly planted shrubs and trees or grass, and even installing a new appliance can all have a noticeable difference on your water bill.
How to Fix
The best way to fix this is to just be aware of any changes in your lifestyle and activities that could have an impact on water use.
6. Water Rate Increase
Keep an eye on any information you may get from your city’s utility services as they will normally notify you of an increase before it happens. Unfortunately, water rates do increase from time to time.
How to Fix
Water is a valuable resource and it is not infinite, so while there is nothing you can particularly do to fix this issue, keeping abreast of new information about your city’s water utility is a great way to stay informed about your water bill.
A Water Service That Won’t Break the Bank
Independent Water Service has proudly been serving Yakima and Kittitas counties since 1986. We offer a free water analysis test to help you discover what types of services would benefit you and your family. We provide easy to install and maintain systems that save you time and money in the short and long term with many benefits to you and your home’s value.
For a free quote, give us a call today with any questions. Independent Water Service’s expert technicians are here to provide you with the best service.