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Why is my water bill so high?

A sudden jump in your bill usually has one of a few causes. Work through these in order.

1. Toilets: put a few drops of dye or a dye tablet in the tank. If color appears in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, the flapper is leaking.
2. Irrigation: check for broken heads, stuck valves or a controller that's watering too often. Summer schedules left running into fall are common.
3. Meter test: turn off all water and watch the meter's leak indicator for 30–60 minutes. Movement means a leak.
4. Slab or service line leak: warm floor spots, the sound of running water or damp areas point to a hidden leak. See slab leak signs.
5. Usage changes: guests, a new pool, filling a spa or a new landscape all raise use.