Any ideas on why a water bill would over double in one month with less water use?

Just read my mail from when I was out of town. My water bill is over double what it usually is. I won't be able to get info on why until I call tomorrow. We live in a duplex, and the neighbor got her bill, so they did not include hers on mine.

I am so paranoid now on if there could be a water leak or something.

Any ideas?

A water leak is the first thing I thought of too. Even if they raised the rates it shouldn't have doubled. One thing I would do is see if the neighbor's bill is higher too. That might indicate a leak on the city side of things which would be something the city would have to take care of. But if you rent & it's on your side it would be the landlord's responsibility to fix it. But something is definitely going on with a spike that big.

Or it could be like us and just nobody knows how to do their jobs right anymore and just charges what the hell ever since it's about impossible to fight them on it.

CeCe, no the neighbor's is the same as usual. Do you have any clue where to check for such a leak? I am so stupid when it comes to these things.

Supernova wrote:Or it could be like us and just nobody knows how to do their jobs right anymore and just charges what the hell ever since it's about impossible to fight them on it.

That could be too. One time, I went into our village office with $100. I had to pay our $70 water bill and $25 for my son's day park camp fee.

The lady literally told me that the two bills were separate and I would have to pay at two different times. I had to walk her through charging me for the water bill, giving me the change, then taking the money for the park camp.

I can't stand how stupid that lady is. I got so nervous tonight when I worried I wouldn't find last month's receipt. Once I found it, and called the neighbor, I realize this bill is just for the last month, no late payment. Something is going on, and I have no clue what it could be.

RedBedroom wrote:CeCe, no the neighbor's is the same as usual. Do you have any clue where to check for such a leak? I am so stupid when it comes to these things.

Just asked husband & he said turn the water completely off & go look at the meter outside. It shouldn't be moving. If it is there's a leak. He suggested looking around in the yard for a wet or mushy spot.

Supernova wrote:Or it could be like us and just nobody knows how to do their jobs right anymore and just charges what the hell ever since it's about impossible to fight them on it.

There's another idea Red. I'd look at the numbers on the meter & the bill & see if they match up within reason. Maybe they guy transposed some numbers when he read the meter.

CeCe wrote:

Just asked husband & he said turn the water completely off & go look at the meter outside. It shouldn't be moving. If it is there's a leak. He suggested looking around in the yard for a wet or mushy spot.

CeCe, tell your husband thank you. I am going to do that now. We did check the outside faucet already, but not the meter. I don't know how to shut the water off, but will have the neighbor come help me do that right now... thank you so much!

RedBedroom wrote:

CeCe, tell your husband thank you. I am going to do that now. We did check the outside faucet already, but not the meter. I don't know how to shut the water off, but will have the neighbor come help me do that right now... thank you so much!

I will Good luck! Hope you find the problem soon.

CeCe, thanks again. Seems the lines are all fine. So, that helps me tomorrow when I call the company.

RedBedroom wrote:CeCe, thanks again. Seems the lines are all fine. So, that helps me tomorrow when I call the company.

Hope this will turn out to be a huge error on their part & it gets straightened out soon. And you're very welcome Red

Thanks again...I despise working with them....

But there is something going on that is not my fault.

Not to point the finger anywhere, but are your neighbors trustworthy? I've heard of situations where people will hook up their hoses to their neighbors' houses when they aren't home to save themselves a little $$ when it comes to water bills. Just a thought. . .

RedBedroom wrote:Just read my mail from when I was out of town. My water bill is over double what it usually is. I won't be able to get info on why until I call tomorrow. We live in a duplex, and the neighbor got her bill, so they did not include hers on mine.

I am so paranoid now on if there could be a water leak or something.

Any ideas?

If you had any water leaks I am sure you would know about it. It must be a mistake on the bill.

Sounds like there's a discrepancy there. You should dispute it; maybe they'll give you a credit.

Well this water issue is bull shit. Our bill two months ago was for just under 4,000 gallons. This bill is for over 12,000. So far, they are just insisting one of our toilets was running.

That is bull because you can hear that and I am home all day. I would know if that happened and I would have fixed it right away.

So, what is going to happen is they are reading it electronically later this week then if it is back to normal, they will send someone to check the meter. But, she told me that they have never had a faulty meter so it is doubtful they will do anything about it. In the end, I am guessing I will be paying this large ass bill.

RedBedroom wrote:Well this water issue is bull shit. Our bill two months ago was for just under 4,000 gallons. This bill is for over 12,000. So far, they are just insisting one of our toilets was running.

That is bull because you can hear that and I am home all day. I would know if that happened and I would have fixed it right away.

So, what is going to happen is they are reading it electronically later this week then if it is back to normal, they will send someone to check the meter. But, she told me that they have never had a faulty meter so it is doubtful they will do anything about it. In the end, I am guessing I will be paying this large ass bill.

There is always a first time for a faulty meter. Insist they come and read it, there has to be something wrong with it if you have no leaks or running toilets in the house.

Tony Marino wrote:

There is always a first time for a faulty meter. Insist they come and read it, there has to be something wrong with it if you have no leaks or running toilets in the house.

Yeah, Tony after they read it electronically, if they don't offer me a credit, I will certainly make them come take a look at the meter.

Somebody is stealing your water.....

It very well could be a leak, but if not then there's gotta be some kind of an overlap with your neighbors.

I didn't hear from them today. Hopefully tomorrow.

I really don't think anyone is stealing our water. Especially this time of year. Nobody even has a pool here. Our neighbors to one side water their garden/lawn a lot, but they are older and don't seem the type to steal anyway.

As far as our neighbors in the other side of the duplex, it can't be them. First of all, I am home too often for anyone to steal that much water without me knowing. And we share our firewood with the duplex neighbors and they are always trying to give us money for it, so they just aren't the type to steal even given the chance.

Red I'd contact them repeatedly if necessary until you get an answer. A little higher than usual is one thing. DOUBLE means something is up.