A high water bill can feel frustrating, especially when monthly bills are already eating into your budget. You can’t get this bill down to $0, but there are a few practical steps you can take to save on water bills. From spotting leaks to changing a few habits, there are realistic changes you can make now when learning how to lower water bill costs.
Why Is Your Water Bill So High All of a Sudden?
Did your bill jump from $75 to $150 (or more)? If so, don’t panic. A big jump like that means something changed, and that’s typically trackable.
Let’s start with your water bill. You’ll see several things listed on it, like:
- A base fee: This is the flat rate you pay for water service.
- Usage charge: This is the amount based on how much water you used.
- Sewer and stormwater charges: Depending on your city, you may see charges for sewer and stormwater services.
If you’re trying to figure out how to reduce water bill costs, compare each of these line items to your past two or three bills.
A few things could explain higher water costs:
- Check whether the billing period was longer than usual. For example, February’s bill will probably be lower than August’s.
- Review any rate increases from your utility company. These usually happen at the start of the year, or at the beginning of certain seasons, like winter or summer.
- Think about recent changes at home, like guests staying over, more laundry, or extra lawn watering.
- Check your water meter, which is usually outside near the curb or in a ground box. This box should match the usage on your bill. If it doesn’t, your utility company might be the one at fault.
How Do You Check for Hidden Leaks?
Hidden leaks are one of the most common reasons a bill climbs without warning. If you’ve racked your brain trying to explain a big increase in your bill and can’t think of anything, you might have a leak.
Some of the most common culprits are:
- Toilets: A running toilet can waste a surprising amount of water. Remove the tank lid and listen for constant movement. You can also add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait about 10 to 15 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, you likely have a leak.
- Faucets and showerheads: A slow drip may not seem like a big deal, but over time, it can raise your bill. Look under sinks, too. Moisture, water stains, or a musty smell can point to a leak hiding out of sight.
- Outside spigots: Inspect your garden hose connections, outdoor spigots, and irrigation system. Broken sprinkler heads and underground irrigation leaks can contribute to a high water bill.
Some of these fixes are easy enough on your own. You can easily replace a toilet flapper or switch out a washer. But if you see water damage or think there’s an underground leak, it’s time to call a plumber.
If you’ve found a leak and have fixed it, be sure to check with your water billing office to see if you qualify for some billing discount or retro-active payment assistance. They usually require you prove the issue was fixed by a qualified plumber, but it’s worth it especially in big leaks.
What Are the Easiest Changes to Lower Your Water Bill Quickly?
If you need results fast, focus on the habits that use the most water every day. Best of all, you can make these changes right away.
Take Shorter Showers
Even trimming just a few minutes from each shower can help lower water bill totals over time, especially in larger households. Shoot for a five to seven-minute shower, and turn the water off while shaving. If you tend to lose track of time, get a waterproof shower timer.
Only Do Full Loads of Laundry
Laundry uses a lot of water, so half-full loads can be wasteful. Aside from only doing laundry when you have a full load, you can also learn how to save on water bills by:
- Using the correct load size for your washer
- Rewearing lightly used pajamas or reusing towels
- Designating one laundry day instead of doing smaller loads throughout the week
Wash Dishes Carefully
Like with a washer, you should only run the dishwasher when you have a full load. If your dishwasher is relatively modern, you can skip pre-rinsing in the sink. Some even include short, eco-friendly cycles to reduce water usage.
If you wash dishes by hand, don’t let the tap run constantly while you wash. Just fill one basin for washing and one for rinsing.
Tackle Household Water Use
This is a toughie, but it’s important. Sometimes your roommates or family could be the reason your water bill is so high. If you’re wondering, “How can I lower my water bill when I live with other people?”, it starts with communication.
Set a few simple household rules, like
- Keeping showers under 10 minutes
- Only running full loads of laundry and dishes
- Turning off faucets while not in use
A simple conversation can go a long way.
Which Upgrades Save the Most Water for the Least Money?
These tips require a little more planning, but they can trim costs if you’ve already optimized your usage.
Low-Cost Indoor Upgrades
Switching out your faucets and showerheads can make a big difference. For example, a faucet aerator is a small attachment that screws onto the tip of a faucet. It mixes air into the water stream, so you use less water. A low-flow showerhead uses less water per minute than older models. That means you can still shower normally while using less water each time.
Utility Rebates
Visit your water utility’s website to see if they offer rebates for water-saving devices. Not all companies do it, but if you qualify, you could get a rebate in exchange for installing water-efficient appliances or devices, like aerators.
Irrigation Fixes
If you want to know how to reduce the water bill, your yard may deserve just as much attention as your bathroom. Cut down on water usage by:
- Watering on a timer: If you water a lawn or garden, a smart timer controls when and how often your system runs. Some models adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions, too.
- Tuning your system: Look for sprinklers aimed at sidewalks, or for broken heads.
- Using mulch: Mulch looks nice, and it also helps soil retain moisture.
- Planting drought-tolerant plants: Drought-tolerant plants are the best of both worlds. They look gorgeous and don’t need much water.
Fewer Leaks = Bigger Savings
Learning how to lower water bill costs usually comes down to a few simple moves: find waste, fix leaks, change daily habits, and make a few affordable upgrades where they count. Even small changes can save on water bill costs over time, and when money is tight, small wins matter.
