Short answer: A water bill is usually high because of a leak, more outdoor watering, a running toilet, a pool refill or a billing or meter issue. Start with the meter: turn off all water and watch it for two hours. If it moves, water is leaking. The EPA says the average home's leaks waste more than 9,300 gallons a year.
A sudden jump in your water bill is a puzzle. Sometimes the answer is simple, like a sprinkler timer that changed. Sometimes it's a hidden leak in a pipe you can't see. This checklist walks you through the likely causes in order. If it points to a hidden leak, SRQ Leak Pros can connect you with a local pro for leak detection in Sarasota.
Why is my water bill so high?
These are the most common reasons, from most to least likely in many homes.
| Cause | How to check | Quick fix? |
|---|---|---|
| Running or leaking toilet | Dye test in the tank | Often a new flapper |
| Irrigation system | Check the timer and look for broken heads | Adjust timer or fix heads |
| Pool or spa refill | Bucket test | Find the pool leak |
| Dripping faucets and hose bibs | Look and listen | Replace washers or cartridges |
| Hidden service line leak | Meter test with the house main closed | Needs a pro |
| Slab leak | Meter test, warm spots | Needs a pro |
| More people or guests | Compare to last year's bill | None needed |
| Billing or reading error | Read the meter yourself | Call the utility |
Step 1: Read your water meter
The meter is the best leak detector you own.
- Turn off every faucet, appliance and the irrigation system.
- Find the meter box near the street and open the lid.
- Look at the flow indicator, a small dial or triangle.
- Write down the reading.
- Wait two hours without using water. The EPA uses this same test.
- Read it again. Any change means a leak.
Step 2: Split the house from the yard
Close the main shut-off valve where the line enters your house. Watch the meter again.
- Meter stops: the leak is inside the house. Check toilets, faucets and the water heater, and think about a slab leak.
- Meter keeps moving: the leak is in the yard, between the meter and the house, or in irrigation.
Meter moving with everything off? Call to reach a local leak detection pro.
Call (941) 541-0938Step 3: Check the toilets
Toilets are a top source of silent waste. The EPA notes that a worn flapper can let a toilet run or leak thousands of gallons a year.
- Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Don't flush.
- Wait 15 minutes. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper leaks.
- Listen for the tank refilling on its own.
Step 4: Check irrigation
In Sarasota, outdoor watering can be a big share of use.
- Look at the timer. Power outages and daylight saving changes can reset it.
- Run each zone and look for broken heads, geysers or soggy spots.
- Close the irrigation shut-off and watch the meter. If it stops, the leak is in the sprinkler system.
Step 5: Check the pool
Pools lose water to evaporation, but a leak loses more. Do a bucket test: set a bucket of pool water on the step, mark both levels, and compare the next day. If the pool drops more than the bucket, you may have a pool leak. See pool leak detection.
Step 6: Look for service line and slab clues
- A soggy or extra-green strip from the meter to the house
- Warm floors, damp baseboards or the sound of running water
- Low pressure at every faucet
These need a pro. Read the signs of a water service line leak and what a slab leak is.
Step 7: Talk to your utility
If you can't find a leak and the meter doesn't move, call your utility. Ask them to re-read or test the meter and review your usage history. Ask whether they offer a leak adjustment after a repair, and what proof they need.
Sarasota County notifies residents when it sees unusually high usage. In a July 2026 ABC7 Sarasota report on a disputed $600 bill, county officials said residents are encouraged to look into possible leaks and that leak detection and repairs on private property are the homeowner's responsibility.
How to keep your water bill down
- Read the meter on the same day each month.
- Fix running toilets and dripping faucets promptly.
- Set irrigation for early morning and check it after power outages.
- Do a pool bucket test each season.
- Close the main shut-off when you leave for long trips.
Local note: large irrigation systems in Lakewood Ranch are a common reason for high bills. Seasonal homes in Osprey and on Siesta Key can rack up usage from a leak no one sees.
Related reading: to track down a buried leak, read how to find a water leak underground. To learn who pays for a yard leak, see who is responsible for the water line from the street to the house. For a sudden break, learn how to shut off the water to your house. Pool owners can rule out the pool with a bucket test for leaks.
When should you call a leak detection professional?
Call a pro when:
- The meter moves with every fixture off
- The meter keeps moving with the house main closed
- You've ruled out toilets, faucets and irrigation
- You see warm floors or a soggy yard
Still can't find it? Call (941) 541-0938 to reach a local leak detection pro.
Call (941) 541-0938Frequently asked questions
Can a water meter be wrong?
Meters can fail, but it is less common than a leak. Read the meter yourself and ask your utility to test it if the numbers don't make sense.
How much water does a running toilet waste?
The EPA says a worn flapper can waste thousands of gallons a year. Replacing it is usually a quick, low-cost fix.
Why did my bill go up after a power outage?
Power outages can reset irrigation timers. Check the timer's schedule and zones after any outage.
Will my utility lower my bill if I had a leak?
Some utilities offer leak adjustments after a repair. Ask your utility about its rules and what proof it needs.
