Top 5 Reasons Your Water Bill Is So High (And What to Do About It)

Water bills shouldn’t come with surprises—but for many North Texas homeowners, they do. If your water usage hasn’t changed much but your monthly charges have spiked, you're not alone. Let’s break down the most common causes of high water bills and what you can do to fix them.

1. Hidden Leaks in Toilets, Faucets, or Pipes

One of the most common culprits is a leak—especially one you can’t see.

Toilets are especially notorious. A worn-out flapper or faulty fill valve can waste hundreds of gallons per day without making a sound. Use the food coloring test: drop a few drops into the tank, wait 15 minutes, and see if the color seeps into the bowl.

Faucets and showerheads may drip slowly but steadily. According to the EPA, a faucet that drips once per second can waste over 3,000 gallons per year.

Pipes, particularly those under your foundation or inside walls, can leak silently for months. Check for:

• Mold or mildew on walls
  
  
• Wet spots in the yard
  
  
• Sudden foundation cracks
  
  
• Unexplained musty smells
  
  

🔧 If you're unsure, Top Flow Plumbing offers comprehensive leak detection services in Frisco, McKinney, Plano, and surrounding areas.

2. Increased Household Water Usage

Sometimes, the spike isn’t a system failure—it’s human habits.

Common high-usage activities include:

• Long, hot showers
  
  
• Running dishwashers or washing machines when not full
  
  
• Watering the lawn daily
  
  
• Hosting guests or having kids home from school
  
  

If your family recently changed its routine, that might explain the jump. Still, there may be ways to cut back without sacrificing comfort. Consider switching to low-flow fixtures or installing a smart irrigation controller.

3. Faulty Appliances and Fixtures

Old or inefficient appliances can be water hogs. If your water heater is past its prime or your dishwasher is from the early 2000s, you may be using more water than necessary.

Signs your water heater might be the problem:

• Leaks at the base
  
  
• Lukewarm water
  
  
• It’s over 10 years old
  
  

Tankless water heaters or ENERGY STAR® certified appliances can cut usage dramatically. A small investment in upgrades can lead to significant savings on future bills.

🛠️ Need help deciding what to replace? Our expert plumbers can walk you through energy-efficient options and handle the install.

4. Water Rate Increases by Your Utility Company

Even if your usage remains the same, your bill might rise due to rate hikes.

Most municipalities adjust rates annually to cover infrastructure costs, treatment upgrades, or drought management. If you notice a consistent uptick but can’t find any usage-related cause, check with your city or water provider.

💡 Tip: Ask about seasonal rate structures. Many cities charge more during summer months, when demand is higher.

5. A Malfunctioning or Misread Water Meter

Though rare, water meters can fail or be misread, resulting in inaccurate bills.

You can test your meter yourself:

1. Shut off all water-using appliances.
   
   
2. Check your water meter—note the reading.
   
   
3. Wait an hour without using water.
   
   
4. If the meter has moved, you may have a leak.
   
   
5. If the reading is off without any usage, the meter may be faulty.
   
   

📞 If you suspect a meter issue, request a reading audit from your utility provider. If they confirm a problem, they may adjust your bill retroactively.

Be Proactive: Prevent High Bills Before They Start

Here’s how you can take control of your water usage and avoid future surprises:

• Regularly inspect toilets and faucets for leaks
  
  
• Install low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets
  
  
• Program irrigation systems for optimal timing
  
  
• Monitor your monthly usage and look for patterns
  
  
• Schedule a plumbing inspection to catch issues early
  
  

Ready to Lower That Water Bill? We Can Help.

Don’t let hidden plumbing issues drain your wallet. At Top Flow Plumbing, we serve homeowners throughout Frisco, McKinney, Plano, and nearby areas with expert diagnostics, trusted repairs, and upfront pricing.

📅 Schedule your inspection today at https://www.topflowplumbing.com/get-started or contact us to speak with our friendly team. We’ll help you understand your water bill—and fix what’s causing it.

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