Causes of High Water Consumption
Sudden Increase in Your Bill
According to the American Water Works Association, the daily average water consumption for a family of four people is 1 cubic metre (m3), 219.97 gallons or 1,000 litres.
A sudden rise in the amount of your bill may be due to a number of reasons:
- Plumbing leaks in toilets and/or fixtures
- An increase in the number of people living or working in your dwelling
- A dry, hot summer, resulting in higher water use
- An increase in the number of days in the billing period
- Renovations, recent landscaping, or filling a swimming pool
- Consecutive estimated readings followed by an actual reading.
- If your water was estimated and your consumption for previous billing periods was higher than estimated, you may see an increase in your current water bill.
Find out more information on how to check for leaks.
During Colder Months
Higher-than-normal water consumption during the winter months can be due to several reasons including:
- You provided a temporary water supply to a Neighbour due to frozen pipes.
- Water service was thawed by a City crew, and a letter from the City to take steps to prevent the water service from freezing again was issued..
The above City initiated water services will appear as an adjusted billing item on the water portion of the utility bill.