Short answer: Why is my water bill so high? Usually because of a hidden leak, a change in how your household uses water, or a meter reading problem. A running toilet is the most common leak, but a water heater relief valve that drips into a floor drain can waste water for months unseen. Check your meter during a no-use period to confirm a leak.
A water bill that jumps for no clear reason is frustrating, and it usually means something has changed. Often it is a leak you cannot see. Toilets get most of the blame, but your water heater can also waste water quietly through a dripping relief valve or a slow tank leak. If you find water at the heater, our leaking water heater repair service in Newark can find the source and stop it. This page is general information; your water company has the final word on your account.
Why is my water bill so high? The usual causes
Most high bills come down to one of four things:
- A hidden leak. Toilets, faucets, outdoor spigots, irrigation lines and water heater valves are the usual suspects.
- A change in use. Guests, a new baby, a new washer or more laundry and showers can raise use without anyone noticing.
- A meter reading issue. An estimated reading can catch up later, and a new, more accurate meter can record more than an old, slow one.
- A rate change. Utilities adjust rates from time to time. The City of Newark's Bill 25-35 sets new water charges for 2026.
The EPA says the average household's leaks can waste more than 9,300 gallons a year, and nine percent of homes have leaks that waste 50 gallons or more per day.
How to test for a leak with your water meter
Your meter is the best leak detector you have. Here is how to use it:
- Find your meter. The City of Newark's meter FAQ notes that its water meters are typically inside the home, often in the basement.
- Stop all water use. Make sure no one runs a tap, shower, washer, dishwasher or ice maker.
- Write down the reading or take a photo. Many meters also have a small leak indicator dial that spins with any flow.
- Wait two hours without using water. The EPA suggests a two-hour test.
- Read it again. If the number changed, you probably have a leak.
If the meter moves, shut the cold water valve on top of the water heater and repeat the test. If the movement stops, the leak is on the water heater or its hot water lines.
Meter moving with every tap off?
If it stops when you close the water heater's cold valve, call us 24/7.
How a water heater can raise your water bill
Water heater leaks are easy to miss because many tanks sit next to a floor drain. Water goes straight down the drain, and nothing looks wet.
| Water heater problem | Where the water goes | How to spot it |
|---|---|---|
| Relief valve dripping or running | Down the discharge pipe into a drain or pan | Wet pipe end, mineral crust, hissing |
| Drain valve not sealing | Onto the floor or into a pan | Drips at the spigot near the bottom |
| Loose supply connector | Down the tank side | Rust streaks, damp insulation on top |
| Tank rusted through | Under the tank | Water at the base, rust stains |
| Thermal expansion | Out the relief valve after each heating cycle | Valve drips when the burner or element runs |
The temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve is the big one. It opens when pressure or temperature gets too high. In a home with a check valve or pressure regulator at the meter, heated water has nowhere to expand, so pressure spikes and the valve releases water. An expansion tank often solves it. Never cap or plug the relief pipe.
How much can a dripping water heater cost?
Here is a worked example using Newark's 2026 in-city rates from Bill 25-35, which lists $8.427 per 1,000 gallons for the first 3,174 gallons and $10.735 per 1,000 gallons above that.
| Leak rate | Gallons per month | Added water charge at $10.735 per 1,000 gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 10 gallons a day | about 300 | about $3.22 |
| 50 gallons a day | about 1,500 | about $16.10 |
| 100 gallons a day | about 3,000 | about $32.21 |
Those numbers are water charges only. Sewer charges are often tied to water use, and the heater burns gas or electricity to reheat every gallon it loses, so the true cost is higher. Rates outside city limits are higher too. Check your own bill for current rates.
Newark and Delaware billing tips
- Check if your reading was actual or estimated. The City of Newark's billing FAQ says bills show "MR" for a meter reading and "CE" for a computer estimate. If it was estimated, you can provide an actual reading.
- Watch your daily use online. The City's SilverBlaze portal lets customers see interval usage and set high-usage alerts.
- Ask for a meter test if nothing explains it. The City's FAQ lists a $70 meter test fee, waived if the meter tests outside industry standards.
- New meter, higher bill? The City's smart meter FAQ notes that old meters can run slow, so a new, more accurate meter may show more use.
- Artesian, Veolia or Wilmington customers: your water company has its own billing rules, so call them about readings and leak policies.
How to prevent a high water bill
- Test with your meter twice a year, once in winter.
- Look at the water heater's relief pipe monthly. A wet or crusty end is a red flag.
- Add an expansion tank if you have a pressure regulator or check valve and no tank.
- Keep pressure in a safe range. A gauge on an outdoor spigot should read under about 80 psi.
- Replace toilet flappers every few years, as the EPA recommends.
- Flush the water heater yearly so the drain valve gets used and sediment does not keep it from sealing. See how to flush a water heater.
Local note: In Pike Creek and Bear, many townhome and condo heaters sit in closets beside a floor drain, so relief valve leaks can run for months. Older Wilmington basements often hide drips behind stored boxes.
Related reading: Find the exact source with why is my water heater leaking?, decide how fast to act with is a leaking water heater dangerous?, and learn whether homeowners insurance covers a water heater leak.
When should you call a water heater professional?
Call a pro if:
- Your meter stops moving only when you close the water heater's cold valve
- The relief valve drips or runs, or its pipe is wet or crusty
- Water appears at the tank base or under the jacket
- You have a pressure regulator and no expansion tank
- The bill stays high after you fix toilets and faucets
High water bill and a leaking water heater in Newark? Call (302) 732-0874 for leaking water heater repair from Newark Heater Pros.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my water heater is leaking water I can't see?
Look at the relief valve discharge pipe that runs down the side of the tank. If its end is wet, crusty with minerals or drips into a floor drain, the valve is releasing water. Also check the drain valve and the floor under the tank with a dry paper towel.
Can a water heater make my electric or gas bill go up too?
Yes. A leaking tank or dripping relief valve sends hot water down the drain, and the heater keeps reheating new cold water. Sediment buildup and a thermostat set too high also raise energy use.
Will the City of Newark adjust my bill for a leak?
The City's billing FAQ says to first check whether your reading was actual or estimated, then contact Payments & Utility Billing to troubleshoot. Ask about current leak policies when you call, and keep your repair receipt.
Is a high winter water bill normal?
Not usually. EPA suggests looking at use in a cold month like January or February, when outdoor watering is off. If a family of four uses more than 12,000 gallons in a winter month, a serious leak is likely.
