Why is my water bill so high?
The most common causes of a sudden high water bill are a running toilet, a leaking irrigation system, a hidden leak under the slab or in the yard line, a change in household use such as guests or filling a pool, and seasonal watering. A meter test tells you quickly whether a leak is to blame.
Before assuming a billing mistake, compare this bill with the same month last year. Summer bills in Texas are naturally higher because of lawn watering and pools. A jump that doesn't match the season or your habits is worth checking.
The most common causes
| Cause | How to spot it |
|---|---|
| Running or leaking toilet | Hissing or refilling sounds, dye test shows color in the bowl |
| Irrigation leak or timer change | Wet spots, broken heads, water running after the cycle |
| Pool or spa leak | Topping off often, auto-fill running constantly |
| Slab leak | Warm floor spots, running water sounds, meter moving |
| Yard service line leak | Soggy patch, green strip of grass, meter moving with house valve off |
| Water softener stuck in regeneration | Constant water running to the drain |
| More people or a new appliance | Guests, a new pool, a filled hot tub, new landscaping |
How to check for a leak in 30 minutes
- Turn off all water use inside and out, including the sprinklers.
- Look at the meter's low-flow indicator. Movement means a leak.
- Do a dye test on each toilet.
- Close the house shutoff. If the meter still moves, the leak is in the yard line.
- If you're a City of Cibolo water customer, review your daily use in My Water Advisor for a constant overnight baseline.
Our full hidden water leak guide walks through each step.
Talking to the city about your bill
If you believe the bill is wrong, or you've had a leak repaired, contact City of Cibolo Utility Services. Ask whether a leak adjustment is available and what proof of repair they need. Keep invoices and the leak detection report. The city's utility billing page lists billing cycles and payment details.
When a high bill means it's time to call
If the meter test shows a leak and the toilets, faucets and irrigation all check out, the leak is probably hidden under your slab or in your yard water line. That's when professional leak detection saves time, money and guesswork.
Is a summer water bill spike normal in Cibolo?
Some summer increase is normal in Cibolo because lawns, pools and gardens use far more water in July and August. A normal seasonal jump follows your watering schedule and drops in the fall. A leak keeps the bill high in every month, including winter, and shows up as constant overnight use.
Compare three bills: this month, the same month last year and a winter month. If the winter bill is also higher than it used to be, the extra water isn't going to the lawn. Check the sprinkler controller too. A power outage can reset some timers to a default schedule that waters every day.
Can a water softener or appliance raise the bill?
Yes. A softener stuck in its regeneration cycle can send water to the drain for hours. Listen for water running at the drain line when no one is using water, and check the softener's clock. A refrigerator ice maker line, a washing machine hose or a leaking water heater drain valve can also leak slowly without obvious puddles.
- Softener: check the drain hose for constant flow
- Water heater: look for drips at the drain valve and the relief valve pipe
- Ice maker: pull the fridge out and check the supply line
- Hose bibs: a dripping outdoor faucet can waste gallons a day
How big does a leak have to be to show on the bill?
Not very big. The EPA estimates that a leak dripping once per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year. A running toilet can waste 200 gallons a day. Under-slab and yard leaks are often larger because the water is under full pressure. That's why a steady overnight baseline in My Water Advisor is such a strong clue. For leaks you can't find yourself, our team covers leak detection in Cibolo, TX.