Surprised by an unexpectedly high utility bill? A higher than normal utility bill is typically caused by one of two things—a change in your typical water use or a leak somewhere on your property.
Examples of changes in water use:
- An increase in the size of your household, for example, recent house guests or children who are now home for summer vacations or school holidays
- Filling or topping off a swimming pool or hot tub
- Watering the lawn more than usual, such as when you’re establishing new sod
- Pressure washing areas of your home
Potential water leak sources:
- A leaking toilet
- A dripping faucet
- Leaking garden hoses, spigots or irrigation systems
- A broken water pipe
Here are some steps you can take if your water bill was higher than normal:
Step 1: Compare the reading on your water meter against the reading on your utility bill
The reading on the meter should be greater than the one shown on your bill.
- If your current meter reading is LOWER than the one shown on your bill, contact the Utilities Call Center at (813) 274-8811 to request a re-read of your meter.
- If your current meter reading is HIGHER than the one shown on your bill, and you haven’t changed your regular water use, you may want to check for leaks.
Step 2: Check for leaks
Leaks can waste hundreds, even thousands, of gallons of water. There are many places where a leak can originate, and some leaks are hard to detect.
- See how your water meter can help you figure out if you have a water leak on your property
- Easy ways to find out if your is toilet leaking
- Troubleshooting your irrigation system
- Did you know that a leaking faucet that’s dripping one small drop per second can waste 7 gallons per day, or more than 2,500 gallons per year? The culprit is often a worn washer (aerator) that can be easily replaced. Check the faucets in the bathroom and kitchen periodically for leaks. Tampa Water customers can request a FREE Indoor Plumbing Retrofit Kit which includes a high-efficiency shower head, low-flow aerators for bathroom and kitchen faucets, and dye tablets to test for leaky toilets.
Step 3: Make payment arrangements or submit a Leak Adjustment Form after repairing a leak
Payment Arrangements
Need more time to get current? We can set up flexible payment arrangements. Submit a request for a payment extension or monthly payment plan by:
- Contacting the Utilities Call Center at (813) 274-8811
- Logging into your account at the Customer Service Portal at https://utilities.tampa.gov
Submit a Leak Adjustment Form
After you repair a leak, you may be eligible for a billing adjustment. Here are some general guidelines to follow if you plan on submitting a request:
- If your utility account does not have at least one full year of water consumption history, it may not be possible to review your account for an adjustment until a usage history is established.
- The following documentation is required to process your request for a leak adjustment:
- A copy of your plumber’s repair bill or a letter detailing what was repaired, including the date of repair and any receipts for materials used.
- A completed Water/Wastewater Leak Adjustment Request Form
Have a question about submitting a leak adjustment request or the status of a request that you’ve already submitted? Please contact the Utilities Call Center by calling (813) 274-8811 or via the Customer Service Center.