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High Water Bill in Castle Rock: Causes and Leak Checks

A high Castle Rock water bill usually comes from more outdoor watering, a leak, or usage that lands in a higher tier. Reading how the bill is built, then running a leak check, tells you which one you have before you call anyone.

How the bill is built

Castle Rock Water explains that bills use three tiers:

Tier 1 is your average winter monthly consumption, the average of your indoor use in November, December, January and February.
Tier 2 is an outdoor watering budget based on irrigable yard size and an evapotranspiration factor. It is eliminated during winter.
Tier 3 is usage above Tier 1 and Tier 2. Castle Rock Water states, "If your bill has a Tier 3 charge, you are using more water than you should."

Usage above 40,000 gallons per month also triggers a surcharge. Your Tier 1 average is reviewed each April, with updated charges on the April statement.

When meters are read and bills arrive

Meters are read in the first three days of the month, and bills go out by mail or email around the 6th. A leak that started late last month can therefore appear as a large jump one bill later. Compare your usage with the water use graph on the bill to see where you stand against your budget.

Common causes of a high bill

Irrigation. Sprinkler schedules, a stuck zone valve or a broken head can drive usage into Tier 3. Our page on sprinkler and irrigation leaks explains how those are found. Watering rules can change during drought, so check Castle Rock Water for the current rules.
A toilet that runs or refills. EPA says a few drops of food coloring in the tank will show a leak into the bowl within 10 minutes.
A hidden leak in a wall, under a floor or in an underground line.
A changed household. Guests, a new appliance, a filling pool or a new habit can all add usage.
A higher winter average. If last winter's use was unusually high, your Tier 1 average carries that into the year.

Castle Rock Water notes that unaccounted spikes in water use are most likely a result of a leak.

A 15-minute check

Read the usage graph on your bill and find the month the jump began.
Ask what changed that month: watering schedule, guests, a repair.
Close every tap and appliance, record the meter, and check it again after a couple of hours.
Test the toilets with food coloring.
If the meter still moves, hidden water leak detection can locate the source.

Can the bill be adjusted for a leak?

Possibly. Castle Rock Water's FAQ says to check to see if you qualify for a leak adjustment on your bill. The published page does not list the qualifying rules, so ask before assuming. Call Castle Rock Water at 720-733-6000, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A repair record or written findings from a leak detection visit can help you describe what happened, but the utility decides eligibility.

FAQs

Why is my Castle Rock water bill so high this month?

Compare the usage graph with your budget and check for outdoor watering changes first. A Tier 3 charge means usage exceeded your Tier 1 and Tier 2 amounts.

Does a leak always cause a high bill?

Not always. A small leak may add a modest amount each month, which is why a meter test is more reliable than waiting for a spike.

What if I can't pay the bill yet?

Castle Rock Water says past due amounts are due immediately and unpaid balances may lead to disconnection, so contact them early.

Will leak detection fix the leak?

Detection locates the leak. Repair is a separate step.

Think you have a hidden leak?

Send a quick request. We reply fast and quote the price upfront.