Toilet running/very very high water bill?

Question

I live by myself and last month my water/sewage bill was $63.00, which is pretty average. I just got my bill for this month and it's $892.00! I almost fainted. I have city water. According to the bill, my usage went from 2,460 to 43,130. My toilet has been running for a month but I didn't think anything of it. I usually just wiggle the handle and it stops. Can a running toilet cause this much usage of water? It's the only thing I can think of that would cause the bill to be so high except that the company could have made a mistake reading the meter. I have no way to pay this bill. What should I do?

Answer 1

yes a toilet can waste a lot of water.....in our area they will allow you to make payments on a very large bill like this with your average monthly payment...you need to replace the flapper valve in your toilet....they are cheap and easy to replace...

Answer 2

Surprisingly yes, your water bill is probably that high because of the running toilet. A dripping faucet can use 3000 gallons a month so imagine what a running toilet uses! I work as a billing clerk for my city water utility company so I can tell you that you definitely have a problem there.

First off fix the toilet. Then call your utility company and have them check the meter. They will be able to tell if something is still running. Your high bill could be the result of a bad read or a computer error but I've seen this too many times and it's almost always a running toilet. When you're talking to your utility company ask them if they do leak adjustments for stuff like this. They may be able to adjust your bill if you find theres a leak somewhere.

You want to know a neat way to tell if your toilet is running/leaking? Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait about 10 minutes. If you see coloring in the bowl then you've got a problem.

Answer 3

I would make sure everything is turned off in the house, and go to the water meter, and look at the dial face. You should see 2 arrows, 1 is the large arrow that spins all the way around the face. the smaller arrow is a dial use indicator. If all your faucets are turned off, and the small arrow is spinning, you have a leak somewhere. See if you have a valve next to the house, and turn it off. If you still have the small arrow moving, then there is a leak in the pipe underground, from the meter to the house. If you do have a broken or leaking pipe, get it fixed, by a licensed plumber, and take the invoice to the water company. They will usually adjust the bill. Toilets are the #1 worst water wasters. To see if your flapper is leaking, drop about 4 to 6 drops of food coloring in the tank, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. If you see the food coloring in the bowl, your flapper is faulty, and needs to be replaced. Good luck!

Answer 4

It could.

At running 3 gallons a minute, it'll waste 17000 cubit feet of water.



They should give you an adjustment on the bill. You'll need a plumbers receipt.

Answer 5

Yes, a running toilet can be VERY costly. However, play it safe and call the water company, or see if you can send an email.....this will help you not lose your temper when you are talking to an innocent clerk. Remember, they have nothing to do with setting the prices. You might want to find out if you can pay this bill a little at a time each month.



Most of all, get that toilet fixed now or you will have another high water bill next month. For now, turn the water off at the valve behind the toilet. Turn it back on when you need to flush.

Answer 6

Replace the cistern or rubber washer.

Yes it's just like a running tap.

The bill is yours to pay because you neglected to fix a problem that you knew was your fault.

Its no different than leaving a heater on 24 / 7.

You use it you pay for it.

Answer 7

Running Toilets

Answer 8

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Toilet running/very very high water bill?

I live by myself and last month my water/sewage bill was $63.00, which is pretty average. I just got my bill for this month and it's $892.00! I almost fainted. I have city water. According to the bill, my usage went from 2,460 to 43,130. My toilet has been running for a month but I...

Answer 9

No that is not right i would contact them by phone probley they made a mistake or billing error.a toilet can run up the bill but not that much.

Answer 10

Yes, that is one of main sources for a high water bill, if I were you I would get that toilet of yours fixed, like right away, or you will keep having a high water bill. In the meantime, you are going to have to pay that bill, see if you can get on a payment plan.

Answer 11

It sounds like there could be a possible mistake at the water company. I would look into that. They usually will send someone out to your home to see if they can find a leak that is causing such a large bill. The toilet running for a month, I don't believe can cause that much of an increase, however it will increase your bill. Just not to that extreme, something else is going on, i.e., mistake or a leak. As for the toilet running, you need to replace the flapper, possibly. Lift the tank lid and watch what the different parts do when you flush it and when it fills up again. You will be able to tell what it needs. most of the parts can be bought pretty cheap at Wal-Mart. For example, the flapper could cost only 2 or 3 dollars. Good Luck

Answer 12

a toilet uses a lot of water but a bill for almost 900.00 dollars is a mistake, go to your water company they don't always have people that read meters the right way.

Answer 13

It sounds like you water main has a leak to me.

I wouldnt pay another water bill untill it has been addressed and proved.

When I lived in Vancouver this meant that the next door neighbour has tapped into your main and is growing hydroponic weed.[just a story]