Why Your Water Bill Is Rising (Without Visible Leaks) & How to Stop It

Did you get a high water bill, but can’t find any visible leaks? Here’s what’s really happening and how to fix it:
You’re not imagining things. Hidden leaks are one of the biggest culprits behind mysterious water bills. Toilets, buried lines, and irrigation systems can waste thousands of gallons a month — without leaving puddles or visible damage. Hint: Continuous low flow (especially overnight) is your biggest warning sign.

Quick Fix: How to Check for Hidden Leaks

1. Shut off all water and record your meter reading.
2. Wait two hours without using any water. If the meter changes, there’s a leak.
3. Dye-test your toilets and replace worn flappers.
4. Inspect outdoor systems: irrigation timers, spigots, and mechanical valves.
5. Confirm repairs by checking for zero overnight flow.

The Long-Term Solution for Multi-Tenant Buildings: Submeter Every Unit. Upgrade to smart, wireless submeters from SimpleSUB Water. They detect leaks early, track usage by unit, and automatically eliminate “mystery bill” waste. Take control of your water costs — without taking on more work.

Why Your Water Bill Is Rising (Without Visible Leaks) & How to Stop It

Rising water costs affect every property owner, whether you manage multifamily apartments, HOAs, mobile homes, or a single-family residence. If you are regularly dealing with the high water bill no visible leak issue, there could be invisible plumbing problems. You might have tenant waste. You might have an aging infrastructure. Regardless of the reason, it’s costing you money. Lots of money!

This comprehensive guide explains the causes of rising water bills and how to stop the needless waste. It will also provide you with strategic advice on how to stop that waste, broken down by property type.

Why Are Your Water Costs Rising?

Water prices for multi-tenant properties are climbing nationwide — in some cities, rates jumped more than 24% over five years.

Municipal utilities have been upgrading old systems and passing the costs to customers. Some regions apply tiered pricing that can multiply expenses if usage crosses a certain threshold. Large infrastructure projects, drought risk, and local population growth all drive rate hikes. Sewer and stormwater fees also climb with every passing year. These can end up amounting to more than half of your monthly bill.

The Most Common Causes for the Rising Water Costs

• Leaks you can't see! (read below to see how to stop them)
• Aging municipal systems that are costly to repair.
• Tiered pricing that penalizes heavy use.
• Added sewer and stormwater fees (which can equal half your bill).
• Drought risk and population growth that strain local resources.

Other Reasons Your Water Costs Are Rising

Aside from municipal rates, sewer and stormwater surcharges, meter assessments, admin fees, and local drought ordinances, there are several other possible causes for your rising water costs. Let’s take a look.

1. Leaks You Can’t See (But Are Costing You Thousands)

A tiny, unseen leak can waste 90 gallons per day — and that adds up fast. Many leaks cause no visible damage, so they go unnoticed for months.

Examples of Hidden Leaks That Don’t Cause Damage:

• Toilet flapper leaks – One faulty toilet can waste over 6,000 gallons per month.
• Underground service lines – Pinhole leaks waste thousands of gallons a day without surface puddles.
• Irrigation systems – Leaks underground or stuck valves quietly drain water (and money).
• Mechanical room drips – Valves or relief lines may leak into drains with no visible signs.
• Outdoor hose bibbs – Slow drips that seep into landscaping are easy to miss.
• Pools and fountains – Faulty float valves can feed continuous water loss.
  

If your master meter never rests at zero, especially overnight, you’re likely paying for an invisible leak. By combining real-time submetering with periodic leak audits, owners can catch these quiet water losses long before they appear on the utility bill.

Common Signs of a Hidden Leak

• The water meter spins when no one’s using water.
• Unexplained humidity or warm spots on floors.
• Higher spring/summer bills due to irrigation leaks.

Easy Steps for a Leak Audit

• Inspect every vacant unit monthly.
• Check mechanical rooms and crawl spaces for new moisture.
• Use blue dye tablets or leak strips in toilets as a fast, cheap check.
• Learn how to read your water meter. Write down the numbers before and after a two-hour “no water” period.

2. Tenant Water Waste and Inefficient Billing

Tenants don’t always know (or care) how much water they use, especially when charged flat rates or split costs by unit size. When you're trying to fix the high water bill no visible leak issue, start by reviewing the tenant's water habits and how bills are calculated. The Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) doesn’t measure actual use — it estimates it. That can lead to both overuse and tenant frustration.

The Wireless Submeter Solution

Wireless submeters change everything. They allow you to:

• Send real-time usage alerts directly to tenants.
• Educate tenants about leaks and responsible use.
• Provide clear analytics on seasonal and abnormal consumption.

Educating Your Tenants Helps (If Done Correctly)

Tenant education works best when it’s positive, not accusatory.

Try these simple strategies:

• Share friendly water-saving tips via flyers or emails.
• Offer small rewards for reporting leaks quickly.
• Install low-flow fixtures (showerheads, aerators) to reduce waste automatically.

3. Aging Plumbing and Infrastructure

Older buildings often hide leaks in galvanized pipes, worn valves, or corroded fittings. Even small drips add up over time.

Ways to Reduce Infrastructure Leaks

• Schedule annual plumbing checkups.
• Replace outdated valves with smart shut-offs when possible.
• Insulate pipes to prevent winter cracks or ruptures.
  

💡 Planning a renovation? Check your local ordinances — many cities now require high-efficiency plumbing standards.

How to Detect and Stop Hidden Water Waste

Water loss is preventable, and the process to find it doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you manage a single property or a full portfolio, follow these simple steps to isolate, fix, and prevent invisible leaks that drive up your water bill.

1. Run a Two-Hour No-Water Test

Turn off all water and record your meter reading. Wait two hours. If it moves, you’ve got a leak.

2. Check Common Culprits

• Toilets: Use dye tablets; if color shows in the bowl, replace the flapper.
• Irrigation: Check timers, valves, and lines.
• Appliances: Look under sinks and behind washers for drips.
• Mechanical rooms: Watch for relief valve leaks that drain away unseen.
  

According to the EPA, one leaking toilet can waste 200 gallons a day.

3. Confirm the Fix

After repairs, repeat the test overnight. The meter should stay perfectly still.

4. Automate Detection

Manual checks work — but smart, wireless submeters from SimpleSUB Water do it better. They monitor usage in real time and send instant alerts before small leaks turn into big bills.

Key benefits of a submetering system:

• Real-time leak alerts (text or email)
• Automatic data syncing for reports
• Compare usage by unit, floor, or building
• Quick, non-invasive installs (under 30 minutes each)

Solutions for Specific Owner Types

Now, let’s go over the breakdown of information based on property type.

Single Family Homeowners

Try compact smart monitors like:

• Flume: 70% of users received a leak alert within 30 days.
• Flo by Moen: Detects leaks and can automatically shut off your water.

Practical Steps

• Test toilet tanks for leaks using simple dye kits.
• Review irrigation schedules and sprinkler health each season.
• Set usage alerts (great for vacations or guests).

Small Landlords (1-4 Units)

Small landlords get the best ROI from “plug-and-play” smart over-the-pipe submeters.

Tips to Maximize Results

• Install water submeters at turnover for easier unit inspections.
• Empower tenants by explaining to them how their bill is calculated.
• Run seasonal leak checks, especially before winter.

Cellular connected meters can be monitored on your smartphone.

Medium Landlords (5-100 Units)

Expand leak management with property-wide wireless monitoring. SimpleSUB enables batch installs and centralized dashboards.

Action to Cut Waste

• Use the automatic “flag” feature to spot abnormally high units instantly.
• Analyze month-to-month bill trends and share findings with tenants.
• Rotate plumbing inspections by building area to catch leaks early.

Large Landlords (100+ Units)

For portfolios, scale is everything. Wireless, automated submetering can save you tens of thousands of dollars yearly.

Fast Facts

• Some systems integrate with property management software for seamless accounting.
• Emergency alerts can be routed to on-call staff for rapid leak response.
• Owners gain detailed analytics. This is helpful when it comes to budgeting and regulatory audits.

Reduce Water Waste Across Your Property, Protect NOI, and Keep Tenants Happy

Controlling water expenses is ongoing. Regular monitoring, proactive repairs, and tenant education help ensure bills stay reasonable, disputes are minimized, and profits increase. The most profitable owners act before waste accumulates.

If you truly want to resolve your high water bill with no visible leak issue once and for all, you will need to use all available resources at your disposal. Upgrade your metering systems, set alerts, fix issues quickly, and keep tenants engaged.

“In a recent SimpleSUB pilot program at a 120-unit community in Phoenix, leak detection alerts reduced water use by 18% in just 90 days!”

The Bottom Line

Most property owners face both rising rates and mystery water bills. Smart leak detection, wireless submeters, and proactive tenant education can change that. Take control of your water costs, protect your NOI, and make your properties more sustainable.

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What’s Next?

Ready to fix your high water bill once and for all? Upgrade today, whether you own a single home or manage a nationwide portfolio. The sooner you install your submeters, the sooner you’ll see the savings!

Get in touch with SimpleSUB Water

For even more valuable information about water submetering, download The Ultimate Guide to Water Submetering.

FAQs

Can I check for water leaks myself if I’m not a plumber?

Yes. Start with blue dye tablets in your toilets, inspect your water meter when you're not using any water, and use leak sensors for appliances.

How much can smart metering actually save me per year?

Typical savings range from 10% to over 25% based on the averages from multifamily and single-family testing.

Does tenant education really reduce water bills?

Properties that provide frequent education and usage reports see greater conservation and fewer disputes.

Are submeters available for older plumbing?

Yes. Wireless submeters are designed for retrofit and are great for avoiding invasive installation.

What’s the fastest way to find a hidden leak?

Combine manual inspection with real-time alerts. This is the best way to find and address suspicious spikes within 48 hours.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this guide is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial, or engineering advice, nor should it be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation. Property owners and managers should consult with qualified experts, local authorities, and licensed contractors before making decisions regarding water submetering, tenant water billing, or related utility management practices. SimpleSUB Water makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, about the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content in specific situations. All utility regulations, building codes, and compliance requirements vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change.