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.
search Need help finding it on your bill? Click here to see
light_mode Summer / Early Fall Bill covers June, July, August, or September
ac_unit 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.
search Need help finding it on your bill? Click here to see
receipt_long Yes, they were low or zero
check_circle 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? (Select all that apply)
infoFilling a swimming pool, establishing a lawn, or hosting guests can cause a sudden spike in your water usage.
pool Filled a Pool Topped off or filled a swimming pool
group_add Extra Houseguests Kids home from school or visiting family
yard New Landscaping Laying new grass seed or sod
plumbing Plumbing Work Water used during pipe repairs
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.
yard The Landscaping Spike
Laying new grass seed, sod, or landscaping requires heavy watering to establish. This temporary increase explains the spike in your bill.
plumbing The Plumbing Repair
Plumbing repairs often involve draining and flushing lines. This extra water usage explains a temporary bill increase.
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.