[waterwoman]

My last water bill was $433. My neighbor's was $80. I keep having the water company and my landscaping co that put in my sprinkler system check my water meter. House is two years old and my "consumption" is very high at to the meter, yet my grass is ALWAYS dry and not getting enough irrigation. I cannot afford this nightmare much longer. Who should I call?? Can I get my city to change out my meter as I believe it is overreading my consumption?
Help, please.

I guess I did not give enough information in last question. I had my house water turned off. Have a separate irrigation meter and that is the one that is giving the high water bills, but my lawn is very dry, not getting enough water, and is still registering $435/mo of billing. City has been out and one time found a leak. That leak was fixed in May. Don't know where to go now. Maybe have city come out again and check for leak again. The city came in and RESET my water sprinkler system, and now the bill is higher than the last month. They said wait another month. Thanks for any ideas. I still think it is my water meter that is wrong. Sprinkler system man came out and checked it in June.

[massplumber2008]

Hi Water woman:

First thing that needs to be tried here is a DYE test at any toilets in the house... ok?

Here, you take some food coloring and add it to the inside of the toilet TANK and let the toilet sit undisturbed for some time (2 hours minimum, 12 hours maximum).

If you come back and see food coloring in the toilet BOWl then you have a leak at the FLAPPER or where the flapper seats at the FlUSH VALVE (see picture) in the toilet tank.

My bet is that this is the issue for you. I see it all the time... high water bill and homeowners seeking answers. I'm surprised the water department did not advise you to start here...???

Anyway, try the DYE test and let us know what you find... If dye shows up in toilet bowl you can take the old flapper off, bring it to home improvement store and purchase a universal replacement flapper. Hopefully that will fix it. If not, may need to change out the flush valve assembly (but try flapper replacement first if dye shows up in toilet bowl).

Thanks... MARK

[speedball1]

To check for a hidden leak go out to the water meter, look for the little hand below the read out. With all your fixtures shut off you should not see the little hand moving. The faster it moves the bigger the leak. On a pump system the gauge should not fall with every thing off and the pump up to pressure and not running. Before I did anything I would check all your toilets as Mark suggested, a small leak running 24/7 can run your water bill sky high. If you have a older home you may have galvainzed iron pipe leading to the house from your meter or pump. If it's leaking don't even bother to dig it up. Run a new service line out of sch.#40 PVC. Regards, Tom

[Milo Dolezal]

Your response is typical response of somebody who is faced with unusually high water bill. Usually, water meter is not at fault. It is your plumbing. You have a leak someplace. Usually, leak is in irrigation system. Do this: make sure NOBODY is using ANY water inside your house. Go to your water meter, open up the lid, and watch that small, red, triangle. See, if it moves. You can also "read" the meter yourself. Come back in later and read it again. If the reading is different - than it is time to start looking for leaks.