Very high residential water bills

marshall

I was told if anyone could help me it would be here, so here it goes. I had a new home built a little over a year ago. My water bills have been double what they should be, I have both compared with my neighbors, and had the local utility tells me the same. We first thought it might be the sprinkler system for the yard, however even in the winter when the system is drained the bills are still double. The plumber can find nothing wrong, and the county has placed something on the meter and still finds nothing. I have crawled under the house and found only a small fist size puddle of water on the plastic. It is just my wife and myself, and no one can seem to find the cause. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I live in the central Virginia climate if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance for your help.

Roger Litman

high water consumption

Assuming that you are not using a lot of water washing or in other obvious ways, then I would look at your toilets, if they are tank type, put some food coloring in the tank and see if it shows up in the bowl. new tanks are supposed to use 1.6gal per flush. get the model number of the toilet and check with the manufacturer.

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Steamhead

Definitely a leak somewhere

Most water meters have a small pointer that turns quickly when water is flowing. Shut off the main valve inside the house and check the meter. If it continues to show water flowing, your service is leaking between the meter and the house.

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Andy N.

these guys have got it....

You need to check the meter to make sure it is not moving when there is no water being used. If the indicator is moving I would then isolate each fixture until the indicator stopped turning. this would pinpoint the guilty fixture. As Roger said the toilet could be spilling over in the tank and you may never know.

just my opinion,
Andy N.

hot_rod

Sometimes

the leaks are in the underground line from the meter pit to your house. Is your meter in a pit near the street? If so check the reading at night, after all water useage or turn of the main shutoff in the house. Then early in the AM before you use any fixtures check the reading again. It is sometimes hard to see small movements on the meter while staring in the pit. A 8-10 hour period will give you a better picture.

How many gallons are we talking here? Large tubs? Teenagers? A neighbor connected to your lateral,or hose bib

hot rod