high water bill

[frostola]

Our IRRIGATION bill for Sept-Oct showed usage of 3730 gallons, our bill for Oct.-Nov. showed usage 11,870 gallons. That was the highest we ever used since moving here in May, our average usage was 7000 gallons over 6 months. We have a lot that is less than 9000 sq ft and don't have a pool or spa. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there something I should be checking?

[GordyM]

Here is my suggestion..... Find the water meter for your irrigation system. It is normally in your yard someplace, a square box with possibly a purple cover or purple ring on the cover. Open it and you will find the water meter.

Write down the numbers on it and compare it to your bill. Possibly it is getting read wrong somehow.... Then check the meter once a week and keep a log of how much is being used.

Shut your sprinkler controller off in the garage. Then monitor the irrigation meter when you know nothing is getting watered. If the numbers are moving and you know the system is shut off at the control panel..... you have a leak someplace.

So start at the irrigation meter to get a baseline of what is being used.

I hope this makes sense and if you need further help just touch base with me and I will be glad to help.

Gordy

[GordyM]

And another thought.....

Many times I see homes where the sprinklers have saturated the watering area and the water is running out of the yard and down the street to a storm water drain.

Make sure you are not over watering and wasting water. If you find that this is happening to you that is why your water bill is out of control. Check your controller and make sure the watering times for each zone don't over water. If they do, change them and cut them back.

I personally water the yard and flower beds only when they need it. I manually turn on the controller and shut it off after 10 minutes per zone. But that's just me and how I conserve water.....

Take care

[renrod]

Our IRRIGATION bill for Sept-Oct showed usage of 3730 gallons, our bill for Oct.-Nov. showed usage 11,870 gallons. That was the highest we ever used since moving here in May, our average usage was 7000 gallons over 6 months. We have a lot that is less than 9000 sq ft and don't have a pool or spa. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there something I should be checking?
There is a good chance you have a head that is broken or leaking. I had the same problem, only worse used 22,000/month. Found 3 leaks in addition to a head that was broken.
Start the system and walk the area checking each head. You'll need to do that with each zone. Mark the problems and repair or call for someone to repair.
Most of us have our systems watering during the night so we never see it in operation. Your problem is common.

[villagetinker]

Also, if this a new house, some of the irrigation system is under a 2 year warranty, the controller is only a year. Call home warranty if you find anything suspicious and the installer will come out and repair.

[Phanatic Luvr]

Your irrigation bill is for irrigation ONLY. If you had a pool or spa, that would be part of your potable water which comes into your home. Your spickets outside are also your potable water. Irrigation is totally separate.

[mtdjed]

You should check your schedule of watering. What day, what zone and how long. Remember that there can be several schedules. Make sure you do not have extra schedules programed