Cocoa Offers Guide for High Water Bills

Residents of Cocoa experiencing unexpectedly high water bills can now consult a comprehensive guide from the City of Cocoa to identify the cause. The guide helps homeowners pinpoint leaks or unusual consumption patterns that may be inflating their monthly statements.

The guide advises residents to first review their water bills for unexpected charges like interest, penalties, or meter service fees. It also recommends comparing current usage to the same month in the previous year and checking if the current billing cycle has more days than the prior one. Understanding whether the bill is based on estimated usage or actual meter readings is a key first step.

Inside the home, the checklist prompts homeowners to consider recent changes in water usage, such as extra laundry loads or hosting visitors. A crucial step involves checking for running or dripping faucets and toilets. Residents can test toilets for leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank and waiting 10 minutes; if the color appears in the bowl, a leak is present. The guide also suggests checking for leaks around water softeners, water heaters, and any recent plumbing repairs.

Outside the home, residents should look for signs of leaks around outdoor spigots. New lawns or plants, or increased frequency of watering for them, may contribute to higher usage. Standing water or unusually spongy areas in the lawn can indicate underground leaks.

For those with irrigation systems, the guide suggests checking for water stains on the lawn or meter box, comparing irrigation schedules to previous years, and inspecting for broken sprinkler heads or malfunctioning timers. It also asks if the amount or duration of sprinkler spray has increased.

For pools and hot tubs, residents are advised to check for recent draining, ensure automatic fill systems function correctly, and monitor water loss. More than a quarter-inch drop per week could indicate a problem.

If residents cannot identify a reason for a high water bill after completing the checklist, they can contact the City of Cocoa's Consumer Service Department at (321) 433-8400. Having the completed checklist available when calling will help the department assist residents more effectively.