Why Is My Water Bill So High in Arlington, TX?

A sudden jump in your Arlington water bill usually means one of two things: you used more water than normal, or water is leaking somewhere you cannot see. The most common hidden causes are running toilets, sprinkler leaks, slab leaks and underground water line leaks. A free 15-minute meter test tells you which one you are dealing with. Need help now? Call (817) 285-5426, 24/7.

What causes a high water bill?

The six most common causes of a high water bill are a running toilet, a sprinkler or irrigation leak, dripping faucets, a leaking water heater, a slab leak under the foundation, and an underground water line leak. More summer watering and pool top-offs can also raise the bill without any leak.

How do you test your water meter for a leak?

Turn off every tap, appliance and sprinkler. Find your meter box near the street and look at the leak indicator, a small dial or triangle. Write down the reading and wait 15 minutes without using any water. If the indicator spins or the reading changes, water is leaking on your property.

1. Shut everything off, including the ice maker, washer and sprinkler timer.
2. Open the meter box lid carefully. Watch for insects and do not reach in blindly.
3. Note the reading and look at the leak indicator.
4. Wait 15 minutes without using any water.
5. Check again. Any movement means a leak.

To narrow it down, close the main shut-off valve at the house and check again. If the meter stops, the leak is inside the home. If it keeps moving, read our guide to underground water line leaks.

How do you check a toilet for a silent leak?

Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and do not flush for 15 minutes. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking. A worn flapper is one of the cheapest fixes and one of the most common causes of a high bill.

Also listen for the tank refilling on its own every few minutes. That is a sign the fill valve or flapper needs to be replaced.

When is a high water bill a sign of a hidden leak?

If your meter moves with everything off, and your toilets, faucets, sprinklers and water heater all check out, the leak is likely hidden under the slab, inside a wall or underground. That is the time to call for professional leak detection instead of guessing or opening walls.

Hidden leaks often show other clues too, like warm spots on the floor, a musty smell, or stains on drywall and ceilings. Our post on slab leak signs covers these in detail. For stains behind showers and tubs, see our wall and ceiling leak service.

Does a pool raise your water bill?

Yes, especially in summer. A pool with an auto-fill tops itself off from your home's water, so a pool leak can quietly add to your bill. Normal evaporation in North Texas heat can be about a quarter inch a day. Losing more than that may mean a leak.

Try the bucket test in our guide: is your pool leaking or just evaporating?

How much does it cost to find a hidden leak?

Basic leak detection in Arlington usually costs about $150 to $400. Slab leak detection runs about $250 to $600, and water line leak detection about $200 to $500. Compared with months of high water bills and water damage, finding the leak early often saves money.

See our full leak detection cost table. These are general estimates, and you get an exact price before any work begins.

Can you get a bill adjustment after fixing a leak?

Some utilities offer a one-time adjustment after a leak is repaired. Call Arlington Water Utilities to ask if you qualify and what proof they need. Keep your repair invoice, photos of the leak, and before-and-after meter readings, since those are the records a utility usually asks for.