Leak Detection
Trace a hidden leak behind a wall, under a slab or along the buried line before any wall has to be opened.
Homeowner tips
Why Your Westminster Water Bill Jumped, and What to Check
A high bill has a short list of causes: a running toilet, an irrigation system, a hidden pipe leak or a change in how many people use water. The meter shows which.
By the Westminster Plumbing Co. team ·
Compare before you worry
Look at your usage, not only the dollar amount. Compare this month with last month and with the same month last year. Summer lawn watering raises use every year, so the same month last year is the fair comparison.
Check whether the billing period was longer than usual or whether rates changed. A bill that includes an extra week looks high even when habits did not change.
Toilets first
Running toilets are the most common cause of a surprise bill. A flapper that does not seal lets water slip into the bowl all day. Use a dye tablet in the tank, wait ten minutes and check the bowl.
If the bowl shows color, a new flapper or fill valve usually fixes it for a modest cost. A toilet that hisses or refills on its own is another sign.
Sprinklers and outdoor use
Irrigation systems account for a large share of summer use. A stuck valve, a broken head or a controller set to run too long can double a bill. Walk each zone while it runs and look for geysers, soggy spots and valve boxes full of water.
Backflow assemblies sometimes leak at a worn seal. The city also tells residents to check the backflow preventer and valve boxes for excess water.
Common causes of a high bill
This table lists the usual suspects in the order most people check them.
| Cause | How to spot it | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Running toilet | Dye reaches the bowl after ten minutes | New flapper or fill valve |
| Sprinkler problem | Soggy zone or a geyser | Replace the head, valve or timer setting |
| Hidden pipe leak | Meter moves with everything off | Leak detection and repair |
| Higher use | More people, a new pool or spa, a bigger lawn | Adjust habits, check the season |
Hidden leaks
If toilets and sprinklers check out, the leak may be in a wall, under a floor or in the buried line from the meter to the house. The meter test shows it. Turn everything off and watch the dial.
The city sends a possible leak alert after 24 hours of continuous use. If you got one, treat it as a real clue. Detection work finds the spot, and a repair stops the loss.
Ask the city about a credit
Westminster describes a leak credit that can reduce excess charges once per calendar year. It applies when usage runs well above your three-year average for the period and the leak has been fixed. Apply within the window the city sets.
Terms can change, so ask the utility for the current rules. Keep the repair invoice and a note of what was fixed.
When to call a plumber
Call if the meter moves with everything off, if a stain keeps growing or if you cannot find the cause. A plumber can test pressure, trace the pipe and repair the leak.
If the bill is high but all checks pass, ask whether your household use changed, whether a guest stayed or whether a pool or spa was filled.
Reading your own bill
Pull out the last twelve months of bills and compare the same month across years. Summer irrigation naturally raises usage, so a spike in July means little, while a spike in February deserves attention. Look at usage in gallons or units rather than the dollar total, because rates and fees change.
Check the billing period as well. A bill covering an extra week, an estimated read or a corrected meter reading can all produce a jump that has nothing to do with a leak. A phone call to the utility can clear these up quickly.
Habits and equipment that raise usage
A new family member, a guest who stayed for weeks, a filled pool or a new lawn all add real use. So does a water softener that regenerates too often or a humidifier tied to the plumbing. None of these are leaks, yet each can add noticeably to the total.
Older fixtures matter too. A toilet from before low-flow standards uses far more per flush than a modern one, and a dripping hot tap wastes both water and the energy used to heat it. Replacing worn parts is often the cheapest fix on the whole list.
Steps to take this week
Read the meter at night before bed and again in the morning, with nobody using water in between. If the numbers differ, you have a leak. If they match, the cause is usage, and the sections above show where to look.
Test every toilet with dye, check outdoor spigots and walk the sprinkler zones while they run. Fix what you find, then read the meter again the next night. A drop back to zero movement confirms the repair worked.
Keep a short log of what you changed and when. If the next bill is still high, the log helps the utility or a plumber trace the cause without repeating your work.
If the bill is still high after repairs
Call the utility, give them the readings you recorded and ask whether the meter has been tested. Meters wear out, and a faulty one can overstate use. The utility can test it or replace it on request.
Ask about a payment plan or a leak adjustment while you are on the phone. Policies differ, but many utilities allow a one-time credit when a leak was found and repaired promptly.
Common questions
Answers about water bill
It varies by household size, season and lawn. Compare your usage with your own history, not with a neighbor.
Yes. A leak in a wall, under a floor or in the buried line may show only on the meter and the bill.
The owner pays for water used, including leaks on the owner's side of the meter. Ask about the leak credit.
As soon as you can. A leak wastes water every hour, and it can damage the house.
Related services
Toilet Repair & Installation
Stop a toilet from running, rocking or clogging, or set a new one.
Water Line Repair & Replacement
Fix or replace the buried supply pipe running from the meter to your foundation.
Keep reading
Finding a hidden water leak at home
A moving meter, a damp basement wall or a bill that jumped. A handful of quick tests tells you whether you have a leak and roughly where.
Running toilet: how to find and fix it
A toilet that runs on and off wastes water all day. A dye test finds the leak, and most fixes cost little.
Winterize sprinklers and outdoor faucets
Fall prep for outdoor water prevents split spigots, cracked backflow assemblies and spring leaks.
Bill still looks wrong?
Call and describe what the meter is doing. The dispatcher then matches you with a nearby contractor.