If your utility bill shows that you're using an abnormally high amount of water, one local public official says the problem is often a simple one: you might have a leaky toilet.
Sidney Bazley, Jefferson Parish's water director, says that a toilet that's running undetected is the most common source of unexplained jumps in water bills.
"If you think about it, most toilets hold two to three gallons of water. If you have that leaking 24 hours a day, seven days a week — for a two month period — that's thousands of gallons of water that you're losing," Bazely said.
Even new toilets can leak. Bazley said he had a toilet installed a year ago that he later discovered had a flapper that was leaking.
Luckily, you don't need to hire a plumber to diagnose the problem.
A simple test can tell you if your toilet is the culprit of your sky-high water bill. Here's how.
First, pour coffee, coke, tea or some other dark liquid into the tank in the back of the toilet. This will turn the water in the tank a different color.
Next, let the discolored water sit for an hour or so without flushing.
If the colored water shows up in the toilet bowl, that means the toilet's flapper is leaking and water is escaping down the drain.
Residents in Orleans Parish have for years lamented random spikes in their Sewerage and Water Board. In recent months, Jefferson Parish residents have also complained of atypical water usage on their utility bills.
In the coming years, residents in both Orleans and Jefferson parishes are slated to receive "smart meters" that will allow them to monitor their water usage in real-time through an app on their phone. Bazley said that will help alert residents to a leak before they get their bill.
Bazley recommends residents hire a private plumber to handle any repairs if they discover they have a leaky toilet.
Have you been dealing with an abnormally high water bill in Jefferson Parish? We’d love to hear from you. Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.
