Step 1 of 5
What time of year does this bill cover?
infoCheck the "Service Period" dates on your bill. Because SCWA bills quarterly, a bill received in October usually covers water used in July and August.
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Summer / Early Fall
Bill covers June, July, August, or September
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Winter / Spring
Bill covers colder months with no outdoor watering
Step 2 of 5
Do you have an underground sprinkler system?
infoLawn irrigation is the #1 cause of high water bills on Long Island.
sprinkler
Yes, it was active
The system ran during this billing period
grass
No / Not Active
I don't have one, or it was turned off
Step 3 of 5
Were your previous bills unusually low?
infoLook at your meter details on the back of your past few bills. Do the units or gallons say zero and an unexpectedly low amount? You likely had a zero consumption issue and now have a catch-up bill.
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Yes, they were low or zero
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No, they were normal actual readings
Step 4 of 5
Have you noticed any running toilets or dripping faucets?
infoA "silent leak" in a toilet flapper can waste up to 200 gallons of water every single day without making a mess.
water_damage
Yes, I suspect a leak
plumbing
No, everything seems fine
Step 5 of 5
Have there been any major changes in your household recently?
infoFilling a swimming pool or hosting long-term guests can cause a sudden, massive spike in your water usage.
pool
Filled a Pool
Topped off or filled a swimming pool
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Extra Houseguests
Kids home from school or visiting family
home
No Major Changes
Normal household routine
Your Diagnosis
sprinkler The Summer Irrigation Spike
Because SCWA bills quarterly, a bill arriving in October often reflects your heavy watering from July and August. A standard sprinkler system uses roughly 15 gallons of water per minute. Running a 4-zone system for just 30 minutes a day can add over 15,000 gallons to your bill.
update The "Catch-Up" Bill
If your previous bills were estimated or showed zero usage, your meter's transmitter may have lost battery power. During that time, you were only charged the minimum base rate. This new bill is a "catch-up" bill—it represents the actual water you used over several months that you weren't previously billed for.
water_damage The Silent Leak
Running toilets are the most common cause of unexplained high bills. A worn-out rubber flapper in the toilet tank can silently waste thousands of gallons of water a month, running straight down the drain without ever spilling on the floor.
pool The Swimming Pool Fill
A standard swimming pool takes 15,000 to 30,000 gallons of water to fill completely, and even topping off a pool throughout the summer due to evaporation can add thousands of gallons to your bill.
group_add The Houseguest Spike
Just one extra person taking a 10-minute daily shower adds roughly 1,500 gallons to your bill over a month. Combined with extra laundry and flushing, a full house significantly impacts your total usage.
help Let's Look Deeper
Since your bill wasn't impacted by summer watering, catch-up readings, obvious leaks, or major household changes, there may be a hidden issue like an underground service line leak.