Why Is My Water Bill So High? A Murrieta Homeowner's Guide

By the Murrieta Leak Pros team · October 16, 2026

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A high water bill in Murrieta with no change in how you use water usually points to a hidden leak. The most common causes are running toilets, broken sprinkler lines, slab leaks and a leaking main line. This guide shows you how to check. If you need help, our water leak detection team is a call away at (951) 299-3473.

Why is my water bill suddenly so high?

A sudden jump usually means water is leaking somewhere on your property, or something is running that should not be. Running toilets, a broken irrigation line, a leaking water heater, a slab leak or a break in the line from the meter to the house are the most common reasons in Murrieta homes.

Other causes are not leaks at all. A rate change, a longer billing cycle, summer watering or house guests can all raise a bill. Rule those out first by comparing the same month from last year.

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Technician testing for a hidden leak with detection equipment at floor level

What are the most common hidden leaks?

The top hidden leaks are toilets with worn flappers, underground sprinkler lines, leaks under the slab, the main water line between the meter and the house, and leaking pool or spa plumbing. Toilets and irrigation are the easiest to find. Slab and main line leaks usually need professional equipment.

Hidden leak sources and how to spot them
Leak source	Common clue	Can you check it yourself?
Toilet flapper	Tank refills on its own, faint hiss	Yes, with a dye test
Sprinkler or drip line	Soggy patch, very green spot, bubbling soil	Partly, by watching the yard
Slab leak	Warm floor, damp carpet, running-water sound	No, needs detection
Main line (meter to house)	Wet ground between curb and house	Partly, with the meter test
Pool or spa plumbing	Water level drops faster than normal	Partly, with a bucket test

How do I check my water meter for a leak?

Turn off all water inside and outside your home. Then look at the meter at the curb. If the leak indicator spins or the numbers move during a 30-minute wait, water is leaking. Next, close your main shut-off at the house to learn whether the leak is inside or outside.

Turn off faucets, toilets, the washer, the dishwasher, the ice maker and the irrigation timer.
Open the meter box lid. Murrieta homes are served by Eastern Municipal Water District or Rancho California Water District.
Note the reading and watch the small leak indicator.
Wait 30 minutes without using any water. Check again.
If it moved, shut your house valve and repeat. Still moving means the leak is likely in your service line outside.

Remember: the pipe between the meter and your house belongs to you, not the water district. Leaks on that line are the owner's to repair.

Have a leak? Don’t wait for it to get worse.

Our technicians are standing by 24/7 with the equipment to find your leak fast. No unnecessary digging, no guesswork.

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How do I test my toilets for leaks?

Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank, not the bowl. Do not flush for 15 minutes. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking. A new flapper is a cheap part, and fixing it can stop a steady, silent water loss.

Also listen for a tank that refills by itself every few minutes. That is another sign of a worn flapper or fill valve.

Can my sprinklers cause a high water bill?

Yes. Irrigation is one of the biggest water users in Murrieta homes, and a broken buried line can leak every time the timer runs. Look for soggy spots, patches that stay greener than the rest, sunken soil or water running down the curb after a watering cycle.

Homes on larger hillside lots, like many in Los Alamos Hills, often have long irrigation runs and more places to fail. Run each zone one at a time and walk the yard while it runs.

When should I call for leak detection?

Call for professional detection when the meter test shows a leak but you cannot find it, when you see signs of a slab leak, or when your bill keeps rising after you fix toilets and sprinklers. Finding the exact spot first keeps repairs small and avoids guesswork digging.

Older homes in Historic Murrieta and established tracts in Rancho Bella Vista may have aging lines that wear out over time. If you suspect the leak is under the floor, read our guide to the signs of a slab leak.

How much does water leak detection cost in Murrieta?

Hidden water leak detection in Murrieta costs about $200 to $550. Tracing an underground service line runs about $250 to $600. Repairing an accessible pipe is often about $300 to $1,200. These are planning estimates, and your price is confirmed before any work begins.

Approx. costs (estimates for planning only)
Service	Approx. cost
Water leak detection	$200 to $550
Slab leak detection (typical home)	$250 to $650
Underground service line trace	$250 to $600
Spot repair of an accessible pipe	$300 to $1,200
Replace a section of yard water line	$1,500 to $4,500

Once the leak is found, see your options on our leak repair services page.

Frequently asked questions

Will the water district fix a leak on my property?

Usually no. The district owns the meter and the line on the street side. The pipe from the meter to your home and all plumbing inside belong to the owner.

Can I get a credit on my bill after fixing a leak?

Some water districts offer a one-time leak adjustment if you fix the leak and show proof. Contact your district (EMWD or RCWD) and keep your repair receipt.

How much water can a hidden leak waste?

It varies a lot. A slow toilet leak wastes a little each day, while a broken main line can waste far more. Any steady leak adds up over a full billing cycle.

Is a high water bill always a leak?

No. Rate changes, longer billing periods, summer watering and extra people in the home can raise a bill. The meter test is the fastest way to know for sure.

How fast can someone come out?

We offer 24/7 emergency dispatch across Murrieta. Call (951) 299-3473 and we will tell you the earliest arrival time.

Prices are approximate estimates for planning. Your final price depends on your property and is confirmed before work begins.