Summer time is iconic for vacations, beach trips, and hot weather. It’s also a time where you may notice a high water bill. Whether you’re filling a swimming pool, or using your hoses more frequently in your garden due to the heat, there are plenty of reasons why your water bill may spike in the hotter months.

While you may be using water more often, there are ways to reduce your high water bill this summer. Follow these tips so you can enjoy these warmer months without unexplained high water usage.  

High Water Bill Causes in the Summer 

There are plenty of high water bill causes in the summer as opposed to colder months. Some reasons unique to summer include:

• Filling or topping off a home swimming pool
• Kids home for summer vacation, or more guests visiting your house can mean an increase in home water use
• Increased watering of your lawn, garden, or new grass and trees
• Water-cooled air conditioners
• Waterslides or other yard activities involving water

No matter what you do this summer, it’s likely going to involve water. Whether it’s drinking cold glasses of water while watching the kids in the inflatable pool, or setting up the sprinkler system to keep your lawn green, water is an essential part of the warmer months. However, high water usage usually means a high water bill - but this doesn’t have to be the case! There are some steps you can implement this summer to reduce your residential water bill. 

3 Ways to Reduce Your High Water Bill

By finding ways to save water this summer, you’ll also reduce your water usage (and a high water bill). 

1. Prevent Unnecessary Water Waste

Appliances use more water than you realize. By recognizing areas where you are unnecessarily wasting water, you can cut back on your consumption and further avoid a high water bill. For example:

• Only run the dishwasher when it is at full capacity.
• Opt for taking showers rather than baths, which use more water. And, avoid taking extra-long showers, which will eventually use up more water than a bath.
• When washing vegetables and fruits, avoid letting the faucet run water continuously. Instead, fill up a bowl with water to wash the produce in.
• Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth so that it doesn’t run continuously, further wasting water. 

2. Check for Leaks

If you have a pool or waterslide, you already know they can use up considerable amounts of water and contribute to a high water bill. Even more expensive than filling a pool once is filling a leaking pool multiple times. Check for leaks in your waterslides and pools and try to fix them if you can to prevent having to constantly refill them and use even more water. 

3. Water Your Lawn in the Morning or Evening  

By watering flowers, gardens, and lawns early in the morning, homeowners can stay ahead of the heat and reduce water consumption. Watering early enough will reduce the effects of daytime evaporation, so you don’t have to use more water. 

Configure your home sprinkler system to automatically start early in the morning, and consider upgrading your irrigation system with a rain-sensor (since there’s no need to water your lawn if it rains!). Additionally, you could also water your lawn in the late afternoon or evening to the same effect.

Other Reasons Why You Have a High Water Bill

A high water bill may also be the result of serious problems in your plumbing that can affect your home throughout the year, not just in the summer. 

A Leaky Toilet

One of the most common reasons for a high water bill can be due to a running toilet that needs repair. A running or leaky toilet can waste up a staggering 6,000 gallons per month, adding hundreds of dollars to your water bill. 

The main culprit of a leaky toilet is due to a faulty flapper in the toilet tank. Luckily, a leaky toilet is usually not difficult to fix and can be solved with a few minutes of work and a trip to your local hardware store. 

Lateral Line Leaks

If you notice a high water bill this season, you may have a crack or loose joint in your lateral line pipes. Factors can range anywhere from tree root intrusion, to pipe age, to seismic activity. Leak in your underground pipes can lead to severe property damage so the best solution is to contact a plumber. A professional can recommend the best solution for the leak—such as traditional trench & replace, trenchless pipe lining, or pipe bursting.

Runny Faucets

Your high water bill may also be the result of leaky faucets. Though leaky faucet fixtures may not seem like a big deal, over time they can cost you. For example, a faucet that’s leaking about one drip per second can waste about 17 gallons over the course of a day. However, a leaky faucet can be solved with a quick fix. 

Usually, a faulty rubber washer in the faucet handle is the reason for the leak. All you will likely have to do is turn off the water to the leaky faucet, unscrew the handle, remove the bad washer, and replace it with a new one.

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to spend more on a high water bill! By following these tips, you can enjoy the summer without breaking your budget over your water consumption. To learn more about what you can do to limit your water consumption and save money, contact Express Sewer & Drain today.