Anyone else get a huge water bill this month or just me? I have solar + batteries so I'm used to a very low COCS bill but my water is really high this month. Here is my usage graph for water usage:


I went from $90 in mostly various taxes & fees to over $200 this month. No busted sprinklers or anything and have a Rachio sprinkler system so it adjusts for weather and over-watering. It just seems like my water usage is WAY off for a cool April. Anyone else?

Due to solar/batteries my electric was a whole $33.44 this month but my total bill is $220?

I already submitted an online request to audit it but seems crazy.

I assume you've checked to see if (a) there's a leak somewhere, or (b) it was a bad meter reading? I had both of these recently (in Bryan).

FlyRod said:

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I assume you've checked to see if (a) there's a leak somewhere, or (b) it was a bad meter reading? I had both of these recently (in Bryan).

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I check for leaks monthly. I submitted their online form for a meter reading audit.

I had an old corroded steel water line in my front yard leaking for quite a while and my water bill actually decreased. Weird stuff.

I highly recommend the Flume2 water monitor!

Were you watering less because of it?

KidDoc, is the online form at CSU.cstx.gov, or is it the request for an energy audit? Or irrigation checkup? I recently had a toilet leak that showed up on my meter but didn't show when I dropped some food coloring in the tank. Dropped a dye tablet in and there it was.

MsDouble81: sewer charges are calculated based on water use, but they reflect the cost of treatment. Water costs are "drill a well, put it in a pipe, disinfect." Wastewater costs are "collect, pump uphill where needed, remove non-flushables, separate, aerate, clarify, disinfect with ultraviolet light…" wastewater treatment is more complex than drinking water (specifically for this area), thus $W < $WW.

Also: nice to see the appreciation for the Rachio irrigation controller and shout out for the Flume. I have a Rachio controller also.

Check the trickle meter ?

woodiewood said:

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With all the water turned off, check your water meter at the street to see if it is still turning. If so, you have a leak somewhere.

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Thanks for this, but I watched it for an hour while doing yard work and it didn't budge so luckily not a chronic leak looks like.

I'm guessing either an error by COCS or an underground irrigation leak.

MoreCushing4thePushing said:

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Water tower mural repainting fee?

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No kidding.

Not sure I've noticed tiered water billing here but they increase the price depending on your use. Which is fine I get it but still annoying.

KidDoc said:

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woodiewood said:

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With all the water turned off, check your water meter at the street to see if it is still turning. If so, you have a leak somewhere.

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Thanks for this, but I watched it for an hour while doing yard work and it didn't budge so luckily not a chronic leak looks like.

I'm guessing either an error by COCS or an underground irrigation leak.

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Would not the irrigation system be running through your meter or is it metered separtely?

woodiewood said:

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KidDoc said:

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woodiewood said:

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With all the water turned off, check your water meter at the street to see if it is still turning. If so, you have a leak somewhere.

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Thanks for this, but I watched it for an hour while doing yard work and it didn't budge so luckily not a chronic leak looks like.

I'm guessing either an error by COCS or an underground irrigation leak.

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Would not the irrigation system be running through your meter or is it metered separtely?

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It is through the meter but I'm guessing it only leaks when running

KidDoc, tiered water rates have been in place since 2008.

waterchick said:

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KidDoc, tiered water rates have been in place since 2008.

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Thanks! I never noticed due to never having a huge bill! I think I found the leaky spot just have to hire someone to come fix it.

Great! The tiered rates didn't show on the bill before but the new billing system shows that. Feel free to reach out if you need more assistance.

Irrigation team came by and they couldn't find a leak. No broken heads, no pool auto fill. Anyone know the next step if the water usage remains very high?

KidDoc said:

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Irrigation team came by and they couldn't find a leak. No broken heads, no pool auto fill. Anyone know the next step if the water usage remains very high?

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You can contact CSU. They can send someone out to make sure there isn't a leak on the city's side.

I never found a leak at my place. The neighbor had someone digging up and messing with their water line and my water bill went for $200 back down to $19.25 this month. I'm guessing someone kind of water main leak that my meter was feeding. Likely I have no recourse ot recover that lost water/$$.

Edited again because my situation was not comparable to yours. At all.