What Can Cause a High Water Bill?

NUMBER OF DAYS IN THE BILLING CYCLE

Monthly water and wastewater charges are calculated on a daily basis and may vary slightly from month to month. Water meters are read Monday through Thursday, and if a scheduled meter read date falls on a weekend or a holiday, it is read on the next available work day. This causes billing cycles to vary slightly in the number of days and service, but you still receive 12 utility bills during the year. The service charges on your bill will reflect the daily rate based on the number of days in your billing cycle for that particular month.

LANDSCAPING TIMES

About 60% of most homes' water consumption is used outdoors, especially during the summer months. Verify your watering times, frequency, and schedule with your landscaper. Verify your assigned watering days here.

POOL

If you are filling up your pool several times a week, you may have a leak.

LEAK

If you receive a high bill and you have not changed any of your watering habits, you may have a leak. Here are some tips on how to find a leak .

If you do find a leak and your water bill was exceptionally high, you may qualify for our Leak Adjustment Program after the leak has been fixed.

Leak Adjustment Program Qualifications

Customers are responsible for all water that passes through the meter at their property, whether it was intentionally used or not. However, if you experience a significant leak, you may be eligible to apply for the Leak Adjustment Program (LAP) if you meet all the program qualifications.

How to Apply

If you meet all qualifications:

1. Visit the Customer Portal
2. Submit your application through the Online Forms link
3. Provide proof of repair and complete the Water Smarter Evaluation

Once reviewed and approved, the adjustment will appear as a credit on your account.

Key Program Rules

• Up to two adjustments allowed within five years
• Applies only to leaks that caused usage more than double your normal amount
• Maximum adjustment covers up to three billing cycles

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, all of the following must be met:

• Increased Consumption: Water use during the leak was more than double the same monthly service periods from the prior year (up to three service periods).
• Repaired Leak: The leak has been fixed.
• Proof of Repair: Documentation is required (e.g., receipts, photos, invoices, or parts).
• Normal Consumption Restored: Usage has returned to normal for at least one subsequent billing cycle.
• Service History: The property has had active water service for at least 13 months before the leak.
• Timely Request: Application is submitted within 12 months of the leak.
• Water Smarter Evaluation: Completion of the Leak Adjustment Program Water Smarter Evaluation.

How is a Leak Adjustment Calculated?

The adjustment is calculated by comparing your water use during the leak to the same time the year before. Then, we lower the cost of the extra water by applying reduced rates:

• Water charged in the 3rd and 4th pricing tiers is lowered to the 2nd tier rate
• 2nd tier charges are lowered to the 1st tier rate
• For 1st tier overage, the cost is split 50/50 between you and the City

The difference between your original bill and the adjusted amount is credited back to your account. This helps ease the financial impact of a leak while encouraging responsible water use.

Example Calculation

• Previous year’s consumption: 9,000 gallons
• Consumption during leak: 460,000 gallons
• Excess consumption: 451,000 gallons
• Adjustment calculation:
  • Excess 451,000 gallons charges split 50/50 between the customer and the City