Being that your water bill is a major utility, it can be concerning to see that the amount each month is higher than you would want. This is especially true if your bill is normally lower and it has suddenly gone up. It’s important to find the cause of a high water utility bill and correct as soon as possible to avoid excessive water waste. If you are worried about a high utility payment and water waste, here are some common reasons you may be experiencing a high water bill so that you can address the problem quickly.

Running Toilets

Running or leaky toilets can account for almost 6,000 gallons of water waste a month leading to hundreds of dollars in utilities. Listen to hear if your toilet is constantly running. Leaky toilets usually make a “hissing” noise and that will let you know if it’s running/leaking. Typically, running toilets are an easy fix but need prompt attention to lower your monthly bill.

Leaking Faucets

That slow drip coming from your kitchen faucet may not seem like much but over time can certainly add up. One drip per second can amount to 17 gallons a day wasted. Check all sink and shower faucets for dripping as they are also usually quick and easy to fix.

Changes in Water Use

Changes in your daily water use can make an impact on your monthly water bill. Watering your grass more often or filling a swimming pool in the summertime for example. Even having guest using your showers for an extended period of time can add up. The easiest way to help with the changes is coming up with a water plan, like time limits for showers/baths and shortening the amount of time you water the grass or do so less often.

Water Consuming Equipment

Appliances, pools, irrigation systems all contribute to your monthly bill. Select appliances that are more energy efficient to avoid water waste. Another good tip is to cover pools when not in use to prevent evaporation so you don’t have to refill as often.

Bad Habits

There are a lot of habits that people are unaware that waste a lot of water. Things like…

  • Keeping the water running while shaving or brushing teeth
  • Hand-washing dishes
  • Doing small loads of laundry
  • Overwatering lawns
  • Running water the thaw meats

Much of those mentioned above are easy to correct. With small changes to old habits, you can save a lot of water and money on your water bill.

 

For more information on water consumption and plumbing, contact Vinny’s Jersey Plumbing, located in Wayne, New Jersey.  We also service other cities in New Jersey, such as East Hanover, Paramus and Livingston.