You’ve shortened your showers, upgraded your fixtures and appliances, and even installed a rainwater harvesting system. Yet, when you open your water bill, you have to wonder if there’s a secret water park in your backyard (because there’s no way your charges should be that high).
Did your water provider raise their prices? Do you have a faulty water meter? Or have your neighbors been throwing water parties at your house when you’re not around? While it could be any of these, you most likely have a leak expelling hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water into your yard—or worse, your house.
In this article, we’ll explain how water leaks can increase your monthly water bills and how smart leak detectors can help restore your balance.
What Are Your Chances Of Having A Water Leak?
Household water leaks are way more common than most people realize. The Insurance Information Institute says homeowners are eight times more likely to experience water damage than theft and six times more likely than fire damage, with leaks being one of the leading causes of preventable insurance claims yearly. Furthermore, one in every ten homes has leaks that allow at least 90 gallons of water to escape down the drain a day. Most of the time, the homeowner has no clue about the leak.
Learn more: 14 Signs You Have a Water Leak—And the Fastest Way to Detect It
How Much Water Do Household Leaks Waste?
The average American family of four uses more than 300 gallons of water daily, even more if there’s a serious leak. But here’s the crazy part—leaks account for around 12% of that amount, wasting water in a single day than what’s used for running your dishwasher (1%), taking baths (3%), showers and faucets (19% and 20%, respectively), and doing laundry (17%).
It might be hard to imagine that a leak could squander away that much water. However, considering how much water trickles out nonstop, it adds up fast. In fact, the EPA estimates that the average household wastes over 10,000 gallons of water per year, and minor leaks account for nearly one trillion gallons wasted in U.S. homes over that same period. That’s enough to fill up 48 billion bathtubs, 80 million swimming pools, and the Rose Bowl 24,000 times. It’s also equal to the annual household use for over 11 million U.S. homes.
If you’re curious about the specific water usage for your home, check your monthly water bill under the section that shows the total amount used for that particular period. While less accurate, you can also estimate your usage with the water calculator offered by the Alliance for Water Efficiency.
Learn more: How Much Water Does the Average U.S. Household Use?
The Average Monthly Water Bill in the U.S. (State by State)
The average water bill across the U.S. is around $39.16 per month. However, the state you live in can have an enormous impact on your monthly water bill.
Take West Virginia, for example—a 2024 report shows that residents pay the highest rates at an average of $91 per month. Other “high price” states include California ($77), Oregon ($76), Washington ($75), New Jersey ($72), Connecticut ($69), Alaska ($68), Arizona ($64), Hawaii ($64), and Wyoming ($63).
On the lower end of the price scale, Wisconsin and Vermont average just $18 monthly. You can also expect to pay lower prices in other states, such as North Carolina ($20), Louisiana ($21), Nebraska ($23), Mississippi ($23), Maine ($24), South Dakota ($26), Nevada ($26), and Illinois ($26).
Why such a huge price gap? Blame it on things like:
- the water sources and treatment costs in the area
- the age and condition of local water infrastructure
- population density and concentration
- drought conditions and water conservation policies
- utility company pricing structures and taxes
So, that $39 doesn’t necessarily apply to every household; it’s just a broad average. Your water bill could be higher or lower based on your circumstances. Not only that, but the above figures also don’t include sewer charges or account for any extra expenses from household leaks.
Unless those leaks get fixed, don’t be surprised to see your monthly balance double or triple over multiple billing cycles. After all, even a dripping faucet or running toilet can cause your charges to skyrocket once the extra costs get factored into your bill.
Top 6 Household Leaks That Can Skyrocket Your Water Bill
Leaks come in all forms and severity—from smaller ones dripping slowly every few seconds to those that gush out gallons like there’s no tomorrow. The type of leak in your home determines how much water gets wasted and how much extra gets tacked onto your monthly water bill.
Here are some common leaks notorious for jacking up water bills:
1. Faucet Leaks
Ten drips from a leaky faucet a minute can waste around 29 gallons per month and add about one dollar to your bill. A fast drip leaking at 120 drips per minute wastes 330 gallons a month, costing about $6. And that’s just if you have one drippy faucet.
Old and worn-out washers and gaskets and corrosion in the valve seat are usually the leading causes of faucet leaks, but cracked or damaged ceramic disc spindles, or old, damaged cartridges may also play a role.
2. Toilet Leaks
The toilet is a lovely, quiet hideaway for many folks to catch up on social media or decompress. However, toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons daily when they leak. Over a month, you’re looking at over 6,000 gallons flushed away. And guess what? All that wasted water can bloat your water bill by at least $30 monthly.
Often, toilet leaks start because the flappers or valve seal has gotten old or worn out. This simple rubber device holds water in the tank and then releases it into the bowl when you flush. However, when it’s not working correctly, it causes your toilet to flush itself randomly and may let all that water slowly trickle out of the tank and drain away behind the scenes. Since the rubber eventually wears out, you should check the flapper regularly and replace it at least every five years to ensure it still seals up tightly and doesn’t leak.
3. Showerhead Leaks
If water drips from your showerhead even after turning it off, it’s a sign of a potential leak. A showerhead leaking at ten drips per minute may seem small, but that slow trickle can waste over 500 gallons yearly. Although it will only add an extra few cents to your bill, it still adds up.
Showerhead leaks often start when the internal rubber gaskets and washers no longer provide a tight seal due to wear or aging. Over years of hot water constantly rushing through the pipes, those seals eventually dry out, crack, and corrode. Once they get old and worn down, they often start dripping.
4. Outdoor Leaks
Leaks don’t only occur indoors. Outdoor piping and fixtures are just as prone to cracks and moisture escaping through them. A leaking irrigation system with a diameter of 1/32 of an inch can waste about 6,300 gallons per month, adding about $32 to your monthly water bill.
Beyond age and wear, several things can increase the risk of outdoor leaks. For example, temperature fluctuations can cause pipes and fixtures to expand and contract, leading to cracking over time. Then, you have soil shifting and settling beneath your property, putting stress on underground lines. Physical damage from lawn equipment bonking into things can open up leaks, too.
5. Leaky Water Heater Tank
Water heaters are essential household appliances, but they can become expensive nightmares once their tanks start leaking—which they all inevitably do as they age. Rust and sediment continuously eat away at the metal tank from the inside out over years of constant use and heat exposure. Any ensuing leak could skyrocket your water bill over time.
6. Pipe Bursts
Of all the water leaks in a home, pipe leaks might be the costliest and most catastrophic, especially if they go undetected for too long. That’s because a busted pipe can let an astronomical amount of water escape at full pressure. For example, a tiny 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can spew out over 250 gallons of water per day. Let it run for 30 days straight, and that’s over 7,500 gallons down the drain, adding about $38 to your next water bill.
A busted washing machine hose will leak up to 10-12 gallons of water per minute, causing more than 12,000 gallons to spill within 24 hours and up to 360,000 gallons over a month if left unaddressed. That could add thousands of dollars to your bill (about $1,800, to be exact).
Depending on your water pressure, a water line to the back of your refrigerator will flow at ½ to 1 gallon per minute. That’s 700 to 1,400 gallons of water wasted over the same period or an average of 31,500 gallons monthly. You can expect this type of leak to tack on at least $157 to your charges. If it’s a burst toilet supply line, it will likely flow at 2-3 gallons per minute, resulting in 3-4,000 gallons spilling out in a day and increasing your water bill by around $525.
What’s The Total Cost Of Household Leaks On Your Water Bill?
Well, it depends on the type and number of leaks. A fast-dripping faucet leak can add around $6; if you also have a toilet leak, that’s an additional $30, totaling $36. However, if there’s a major pipe burst, you’re looking at an extra $1,800. On average, multiple small leaks can cost homeowners roughly $100 a month in wasted water, while bigger, more expensive ones can easily send those charges into the thousands of dollars.
Some Leaks Do More Than Hike Up Your Water Bill
While the cost of wasted water from leaks can be expensive, money isn’t the only thing at risk. Leaks can also cause severe damage if left unfixed.
Moisture in walls, floors, and ceilings creates unsightly water stains and causes paint to flake or wallpaper to bubble. It also provides the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to grow. If you’ve ever had a mold issue, you know it can be incredibly toxic for your health and tough to clean.
Large, undetected leaks can rot away and weaken your home’s structure over time. The water can saturate wooden beams, drywall, flooring, and foundations if it’s a vast underground leak. This type of water damage could make your home unsafe and require massive repairs.
How Smart Leak Detectors Help Prevent Water Leaks
Leaks can pop up out of nowhere and often when you least expect them. So, it would be best if you had a way to catch them early. Otherwise, they’ll keep expelling more and more water, draining away gallons and potentially causing severe damage. That’s why you should consider investing in a smart water leak detector.
These smart devices constantly monitor your home for potential risks and leaks. Once they detect something unusual, they’ll send real-time alerts to your smartphone and trigger an audible alarm. That way, you’ll be aware of the problem and can fix it before it escalates into a flooding disaster and causes your water bills to skyrocket. Higher-end models, like the Flo Smart Water Monitor & Shutoff, can automatically turn off the water at the main line to prevent more spilling or potential damage while you’re away from home.
In terms of cost, basic smart leak detectors with just moisture sensors and alerts can cost as low as $50. However, the more advanced shutoff models cost at least $500, depending on the brand, features, etc. That’s a small price to stop leaks that could cost you hundreds or thousands in water damage or wastage.
How Much Water Can A Smart Water Leak Detector Save You?
As stated earlier, household leaks account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted yearly. By immediately detecting and stopping leaks as small as a drop per minute, a smart leak detector system can reduce up to 90 percent of household water waste. Reducing the risk of leaks could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year off your water bills alone. And that doesn’t include the potential savings from avoiding those expensive water damage repairs due to undetected leaks.
Final Thoughts
As you’ve now realized, water leaks, including those you’ve likely ignored for weeks, can be expensive. Whether it’s a dripping faucet, running toilet, or busted water line, it could add unnecessary extra charges to your monthly water bill. Interestingly, many of these leaks are easy and inexpensive to fix but could have been prevented with a smart water leak detector.
If you want to learn more about how smart water sensors work, the benefits of having one, and the signs of a leak, check out our previous articles on smart water devices.
