I have no idea how many sprinkler heads we have but we're on an interior designer lot which is approx 5525 sq ft and have five irrigation zones. We've lived here for three years and the irrigation portion of our water bill has never been above $20 per month. For the calendar year 2011 our total irrigation costs have been $112.00. We manually turn it off when we're getting rain and run it twice a week when it's dry. Our lawn is in great shape.

I can't imagine paying $100 or more a month just to water the lawn.

thanks - but remember this - if my lot is 11K sq ft and our houses are the same size then the remainder is lawn! Your home probably takes up the majority of your lot, mine does not. I'll bet the actual grass area of my lawn is 4-5 times yours based on the math. So $20 X 5 = $100. I just think people are comparing apples to oranges. If you don't have a leak then it very simple.

Personally I plan to take up much of the grass area with low water landscape. Hopefully that will help.

I have almost a 12,000 sq ft lot...then the house and lanai and cage take up around 3000 sq ft leaving around 9000 sq ft to water. Have three large planters, but they have to be watered so they are not excluded from watering. Last month we used 11,650 gallons of irrigation water for a charge of approximately $32.00 We have lots of sprinklers though I'm not sure what number are pop-ups and what number are rotary. Others have mentioned that certain sprinklers are better than others and utilize water better. A watering bill as high as you seem to have Tom, suggests that it might be time to have someone from a landscaping irrigation company take a look and determine if some sprinklers can be replaced with more efficient ones.
Alas, I can offer no suggestions as to whom you might contact.

I will do something once I get down there in November. Until then, I have to eat it.

thanks - something's going on then. I do have lots of rotarys

My problem is solved by BILL- a mystery neighbor who wrote to me saying "He walks his dog everyday past my house. Everyday the sprinkler is running."

Somehow I had two programs running. Program "A" was running twice a week. Program "B" was running everyday. My friend fixed the problem after resetting the system. Not sure what happened or how program "B" was activated but it is corrected to avoid any further overuse. Thanks Bill, whoever you are.

Fantastic! I know you are happy to have that problem solved...and resolved! That was nice of mystery neighbor Bill to let you know what he observed!

Hooray, I'm so happy the problem has been solved! You have a very nice neighbor, Tom... :)

I wish that were my problem. Only on twice a week and for less than recommended and 50K gal of water. Yes 50K! I've checked it many, many times. No leaks and only running twice as mentioned.

I'll have to rethink when I get back down.

Hi Russ. You might have the same problem I had (with a hidden program running) When I'm by in November I'll pass your house and see how often the system is running. What are your scheduled days and times? 50 K sounds like you might also have a leak. I can check that on the outside meters if you wish. I assume your water is off now. If the meter is running at all, it will indicate a leak.

With so much water usage, why not just contact VCDD Utilities and ask them to send a tech to your house for a flow test? It is a free service of theirs and could save you a lot of money.

It is hard to do this when I am in NY.

What a timely post. My wife and I are up in Toledo, Ohio and we just received a water bill from our home in the villages. We were wondering how our water bill could increase when we haven't been there. The leaking or broken sprinkler head theory makes sense. We will call our gardener first thing Monday morning. Thanks all!!!

Thanks Tom. I should be down for a visit shortly. See you then.

we also have a irrigation issue, high water bills
last two bills, 35,000gallons of water for irrigation???
i am also calling on monday, from cleveland ohio
with all the water our lawn still looks yellow, (i have been told)