Why Is My Water Bill Suddenly High? A Melbourne Plumber Explains

A sudden jump in your water bill almost always means one thing: water is being used somewhere it shouldn’t be. In Melbourne, the average household uses around 165 litres per person per day. If your bill has spiked significantly without a change in behaviour, here’s what to check.

1. Leaking Tap

A dripping tap that loses just one drop per second wastes around 10,000 litres per year — that’s real money. Most people don’t notice a slow drip straight away. Check all taps, including outdoor taps and laundry connections.

2. Running Toilet Cistern

A running toilet is one of the most common causes of a high water bill. A faulty inlet valve or flush valve can silently waste up to 200 litres per day. Test yours by putting a few drops of food colouring in the cistern — if colour appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak. We can fix it same day.

3. Underground or Hidden Pipe Leak

Leaks in pipes under concrete or inside walls are harder to spot. Signs include damp patches on walls or floors, soft ground in the garden, or reduced water pressure. If you can’t find the source, turn off every tap and appliance and check whether the water meter dial is still moving — if it is, you have a hidden leak.

4. Hot Water System Pressure Relief Valve

Hot water systems have a pressure relief valve (TPR valve) that discharges water when pressure gets too high. A faulty valve can slowly discharge hundreds of litres. Check near your hot water unit for a small pipe dripping to a drain — this is the discharge pipe.

5. Irrigation System or Garden Tap

If you have a garden irrigation system, a broken solenoid or split in the line can waste water underground without any visible sign. Check your irrigation controller and run through each zone manually.

What to Do Next

If you’ve found a likely cause, call Sedcon Plumbing on 0468 013 012. We repair leaking taps, running toilets, and burst pipes across Melbourne — same day where possible. We can also assist with a leak detection inspection if the source isn’t obvious.

VBA Licence 120392 · admin@sedconplumbing.com.au