The routine, in order
- Compare bills. Look at the same billing period from last year to rule out seasonal use such as lawn watering or a pool.
- Read the meter. With all water off, note the reading, wait, and read again. Movement means water is going somewhere.
- Test toilets. Use food colouring in each tank. A leaking flapper is the most common cause of high bills.
- Check outdoor taps and irrigation. Look for drips and timers set incorrectly.
- Inspect the water softener. A softener stuck in regeneration can run water to the drain constantly.
- Listen. A hissing sound in walls or near the main line can point to a pressurized leak.
- Contact the Region. If no leak is found, ask Durham Region to verify the meter reading.
Why this matters in Pickering
Pickering residents are billed by the Region of Durham based on metered water use, and sewer charges are calculated from that same consumption. A running toilet or dripping outdoor tap can quietly add a significant amount to each bill. Bills arrive on a set schedule, so a leak can run for weeks before the next bill reveals it. Tracking down the cause quickly limits the cost.
Call when the meter shows movement and you cannot find the cause, when you suspect a leak inside walls or under the floor, or when the leak is on the service pipe between the meter and the street.
Slips worth avoiding
- Assuming the meter is wrong before checking for leaks.
- Ignoring a toilet that refills by itself now and then.
- Forgetting about humidifiers, sump systems or irrigation lines that use water.
- Not keeping records of repair work, which may help if you request a bill adjustment.
Time to ring a plumber
Call when the meter shows movement and you cannot find the cause, when you suspect a leak inside walls or under the floor, or when the leak is on the service pipe between the meter and the street. A plumber can locate and fix the leak and give you documentation of the repair, which can be useful when talking with the Region about your bill.
Protecting the house beyond the bill
A leak that shows up on a bill may also be soaking insulation or framing. Once the cause is fixed, check nearby areas for lingering moisture. It is also a good time to review your home insurance; our note on sewer backup insurance explains a coverage many policies leave out. If the cause turns out to be a failing supply pipe, our pipe repair page describes the usual fixes. Writing down meter readings once a month, perhaps on the first, gives you a baseline that makes the next unusual jump easy to spot.
Remember that winter bills can include a humidifier, and summer bills garden watering and pool top-ups. Rule those out before chasing a leak.
Questions callers ask
Could one running toilet really push the bill up that far?
Yes. A constantly running toilet can use a large volume of water over a billing period.
Who checks my water meter?
The Region of Durham owns and maintains the meter and can verify readings on request.