Summer Water Bills and Why They Spike Every Year

You open your water bill and immediately do a double-take.

"That can't be right."

Sound familiar?

Every summer, homeowners are surprised to see their water bills climb. While it's natural to assume there's a major leak somewhere, the truth is a lot simpler: seasonal changes often lead to increased water usage.

Let's look at some of the most common reasons water bills tend to spike during the summer months.

Your Lawn and Landscaping Need More Water

The winter freeze meant your lawn went dormant. So, it’s easy to forget how tough summer heat can be on our lawns, gardens, flowers, and landscaping.

Whether you're running an irrigation system or simply dragging a hose around the yard more often, outdoor watering can significantly increase your water usage. In fact, for many homeowners, outdoor watering is the single largest contributor to higher summer water bills.

The Kids Are Home

When school lets out, the increase in water usage tends to follow.

Why?

For many families, kids are home all day. They’re taking showers, washing hands, filling water bottles, helping themselves to snacks, and enjoying water-based activities like water balloon fights, pools, playing in the sprinkler, and slip-n-slides. Suddenly your home's water consumption starts adding up—and it isn’t hard to see why!

While the increase may seem small day-to-day, it can make a big difference on your monthly bill.

On that note, the kids being home has a funny way of creating extra laundry and dishes!

Wet swimsuits. Beach towels. Camp clothes. Sports uniforms. Extra outfit changes after spending time outside. All meals and snacks at home.

All of this cleanup requires water, whether it’s hot or cold. Needless to say, if your laundry or dishwasher routines ramp up during the summer, your water bill tends to follow.

Keeping Your Summer Water Bill Under Control

Ready for a little bit of good news? A higher summer water bill isn't always inevitable.

A few simple habits can help reduce water usage without sacrificing your lawn, your summer fun, or your comfort.

Start by watering your lawn early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This allows more water to reach the roots instead of evaporating in the afternoon heat.

You may also want to check your irrigation system periodically for broken sprinkler heads or areas that are receiving more water than necessary. A small leak in an irrigation system can waste a surprising amount of water over the course of a summer.

Inside the home, running full loads of laundry and dishes whenever possible can help improve efficiency.

Some utility companies even offer budget billing programs that spread your costs evenly throughout the year. Instead of paying significantly more during high-usage months, you'll pay a more consistent monthly amount based on your average annual consumption. If summer water bills tend to catch you off guard, it's worth checking to see if your local utility offers a similar option.

Final Thoughts on Summer Water Bills

The most likely culprit for increased water usage in summer is simply the change of seasons. Increased outdoor watering, extra laundry, houseguests, and kids home from school can all contribute to higher summer water bills. 

That said, if your bill seems unusually high or continues to climb month after month, it may be worth investigating for hidden leaks or plumbing issues. You can always contact G.T. Campbell Plumbing for assistance.