Why is my bill higher than normal?
There are many reasons why your water use may increase and decrease throughout the year. Some of these could be due to:
Season
Water use tends to increase over the warmer months, so remember to compare your bill with the same time last year, rather than with your previous bill.
More people in the house
Have you had guests stay over? Extra people in your household will increase your consumption.
Leaks
Leaks can occur anywhere on your property. They can go unnoticed and can waste a lot of water.
Leaks can be caused by dripping taps, a running toilet cistern, a burst pipe under the house or underground in the garden, faulty appliances including evaporative coolers, solar and regular hot water systems, or new installed, faulty or incorrectly programmed dripper systems.
To check for leaks, take the 15 minute leak test. Write down the current reading on your water meter, both the black and red numbers Ensure all taps in your property are turned off. Wait 15 minutes, then write down the meter reading again. If any of the dials have moved, in particular the red numbers, you may have a leak and should contact a plumber to investigate further.