Your sewer bill is directly tied to the amount of water you consume. It typically goes up because of hidden plumbing leaks (like running toilets), increased seasonal water usage (like filling a pool or lawn watering), or municipal rate increases passed down by your local utility to cover maintenance costs.
Leaky Fixtures or Pipes
Even a small drip can waste a significant amount of water over time, contributing to higher sewer costs. Toilets are especially prone to leaks; a constantly running toilet can use thousands of gallons of water each month, leading to a spike in your sewer bill.
Use less water and save on your sewer bill
The average annual sewer bill in Massachusetts for a single-family home is roughly $𝟏,𝟎𝟐𝟔 to $𝟏,𝟐𝟓𝟗, depending on the region and water authority. Because rates vary widely by municipality and individual usage, combined monthly or quarterly household utility bills will also heavily fluctuate depending on your location.
Showers: Longer or more frequent showers, especially with guests, can significantly increase water use. A single 10-minute shower can use 20–50 gallons.
A 30-minute shower typically costs between $𝟏.𝟎𝟎 and $𝟒.𝟓𝟎 in total utilities, depending on your showerhead and local rates. The water itself generally costs between $𝟎.𝟏𝟓 and $𝟏.𝟎𝟎, with the remaining cost coming from the energy used to heat the water.
Yes, flushing the toilet increases your water bill, as every flush uses fresh, potable water. However, the cost of a single regular flush is quite small, typically ranging from fractions of a cent to just a few cents.
The primary reason why a sewer bill is so high is because of leaks somewhere in the plumbing, usually in a toilet. Leaks may also happen from the water heater, an outdoor faucet, or even the sewer pipes themselves.
What is Average? The water industry estimates that an average person uses 3,000 gallons of water monthly, so a family of 4 would use 12,000 gallons for bathing, cooking, washing, recreation and watering. But a lot of factors come into play when calculating average use.
The water released by the treatment facility is usually cleaner than the drinking water's receiving stream. Typically, the advanced systems are expensive to build and operate, increasing the overall cost of wastewater treatment. So, it is logical that sewer bills are higher than water bills.
In most homes, Heating and Cooling (HVAC) systems drive the highest energy costs, accounting for nearly 40% to 50% of your total electricity bill. Following these, the appliances that run up your bill the most include water heaters, refrigerators, and laundry machines.
The most common cause for a high water bill is running water from your toilet. A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day or more. Some leaks are easy to find, such as a dripping faucet or running toilet.
Most sewer bills are tied directly to how much water you use, so cutting water waste is the key to saving money. Start by fixing leaks—one running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons a day. Only run dishwashers and laundry when they're full, and consider low-flow fixtures like dual-flush toilets or showerheads.
An unusually high water bill is most often caused by a leak or change in water use. Some common causes of high water bills include: A leaking toilet, or a toilet that continues to run after being flushed, most common. A dripping faucet; a faucet drip can waster 20 gallons or more of water a day.
The Hidden Plumbing Problems Behind Rising Sewer Costs
Some of the most common culprits we find during inspections include: Running toilets that leak silently for weeks. Dripping faucets and valves, especially in unused bathrooms. Water softeners stuck in regeneration cycles.
Additionally, customers are charged a volumetric charge for sewer system usage based on their water usage, because most of the time the water a household uses exits the home through the sewer system as wastewater.
More people than usual staying in your home. New appliances that use more water, such as a power shower or garden sprinkler. Your previous bill being based on estimates rather than a meter reading. Leaks on pipes, toilets, taps or other appliances.
Estimates vary. The folks at Water Footprint Calculator say the average at-home water use is 60 gallons per person daily. However, the US Geological Survey puts the average at 80-100 gallons per person.
A 10-minute shower typically uses 15 to 25 gallons (57 to 95 liters) of water. The exact amount depends on your showerhead's flow rate:
The #1 water waster in your home is the toilet.
A leaking toilet can waste 15,000 gallons of water a month.
Older toilets (pre-2000) can use up to 13 litres per flush. Modern single-flush toilets typically use 6 litres. Dual-flush toilets offer a choice: typically around 4 litres for a half flush and 6 litres for a full flush.
Dive into these 12 tips for how to reduce your sewer bill and save hundreds of dollars over time.
Average monthly water bill
The average water bill in the U.S. is $49 per month, with most bills falling between $40 and $60 per month. However, monthly water bills range from $15 to $100+, depending on the household size, water usage, and location. A typical family of 4 uses over 300 gallons of water per day.
Toilet and faucet leaks
The most common cause for a high water bill is running water from your toilet. A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day or more depending on the volume flow down the drain.