Written by

Kristen Cramer

September 11, 2024

Edited by

Jennifer Carlson

Fact-checked by

Tara Farmer

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.

Average water bill cost by state

The average monthly water bill varies significantly by state. Costs are lowest in Vermont, Wisconsin, and North Carolina at $18 to $20 per month. In comparison, California and West Virginia have the highest average bills in the country at $77 and $91 per month.

The table below shows the average water bill for each state.

Average home water use

The average person uses 80 to 90 gallons of water per day at home, and about 70% of this use occurs indoors. Toilets are the biggest source of indoor water use, accounting for almost 25% of total indoor consumption. Showers, faucets, and washing machines also make up a large portion of a home's water use.

Outdoor water use accounts for roughly 30% of total household water consumption. However, this figure varies considerably depending on the climate and can be as high as 60% in drier regions of the country.

Factors that affect your water bill

In addition to your location, your household water usage and your utility company's rate structure also impact your water bill:

• Your water usage: The more water you use, the higher your water bills will be. Larger households naturally use more water, but individual water consumption behaviors like shower length and laundry habits also affect your home's total usage.

• Water utility rate structure: Utility companies charge based on the total volume of water your home uses—measured in gallons or centum cubic feet (CCF)—but companies use various rate structures to calculate your bill. Common rate structures include:

  • Uniform rate: You pay the same price year-round for each unit of water used.

  • Increasing block rate: The price per unit of water increases with the more water you use. This rate structure is designed to promote conservation.

  • Seasonal rate: Some utilities charge lower rates in the winter and higher rates in the summer due to the increased demand for lawn watering and outdoor activities.

  • Water budget rate: The utility gives your household a "water budget" based on anticipated usage, which is determined by the number of household members or the house or property size. You're charged a flat rate for usage within the water budget and a higher rate for usage that exceeds the budget.

Why is my water bill so high?

If your water bill is higher than expected, look for these potential causes:

• Leaks are the most likely culprit for high water bills. According to the EPA, many U.S. homes have easily fixable leaks that waste 90 gallons per day or more. Check your toilets, faucets, shower heads, pipes, appliances, water heater, and irrigation system for leaks.

• Seasonal changes also affect water consumption. Water bills are typically highest in the summer because lawns require watering, swimming pools need to be filled or topped off, and kids are home all day. Water-cooled air conditioners also contribute to higher usage.

• Water-wasting habits like washing half loads of laundry, keeping the water running while brushing your teeth or shaving, and taking long showers cause higher water bills.

• Inefficient appliances like old toilets, shower heads, and washing machines use far more water than newer models.

• Household guests can cause higher water bills due to the extra showers, bathroom usage, and laundry use.

How to lower your water bill

Making simple changes to your household routines can significantly reduce the average cost of water bills. In addition, the average family can save more than $380 per year on water bills by installing WaterSense-labeled fixtures and Energy Star-certified appliances.

• Bathroom:

  • Upgrade to low-flow toilets, which can reduce your household water usage by 10,000 to 20,000+ gallons per year. Replacing a toilet costs $250 to $950, and this investment can pay for itself in savings within a few years.

  • Take shorter showers. You'll save 2 to 4 gallons of water for every minute less you spend showering, and you'll lower your electric or gas bill at the same time by reducing water heater usage.

  • Replace shower heads with low-flow models to save more than 2,700 gallons per year. The average cost to replace a shower head is $250 to $800.

  • Turn off the water when you brush your teeth or shave to save 8 gallons of water per day.

• Kitchen:

  • Run the dishwasher only when it's full to save up to 320 gallons of water per year.

  • Use the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand. Though it sounds surprising, washing dishes in the sink uses 10 to 30 gallons more than running the dishwasher.

  • Upgrade to an Energy Star-certified dishwasher for maximum water and electricity savings.

• Laundry room:

  • Only run the washer with a full load. Choose the right soil setting for the load, as the normal setting works for most loads and heavy-duty settings use more water.

  • Use high-efficiency (HE) laundry detergent, which requires less water.

  • Replace an old washing machine with an Energy Star-certified model.

• Outdoor:

  • Water your lawn less frequently. Install a sprinkler system with a WaterSense timer to save 15,000 gallons per year. Add a rain sensor so you don't waste water by running the sprinklers while it's raining. The average cost to install a sprinkler system is $1,800 to $5,200.

  • Landscape your yard with drought-tolerant plants that don't need irrigation. Alternatively, install artificial grass to eliminate the need to water your lawn altogether. Artificial grass costs $6 to $17 per square foot with installation.

  • Use a pool cover to minimize water evaporation in the sun, reducing the need to refill the pool as often. A manual pool cover costs $1,000 to $3,600.

• Leaks:

  • Household leaks can waste over 9,000 gallons per year, the equivalent of the amount of water needed to wash more than 300 loads of laundry. Common indoor leaks include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and leaking valves.

  • A sprinkler or irrigation system with a leak only 1/32^nd of an inch in diameter can waste 6,300 gallons of water per month.

Other utility bills

To learn more about other utility costs, check out these other guides:

• Average utility bill

• Average electric bill

• Average gas bill

Hiring a plumber to lower your water bill

Follow these tips to find the best plumbers near you for basic home improvements that will lower your water bill:

• Get quotes from at least 3 licensed plumbers that have been in business for 5+ years.

• Look for plumbers with great reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

• Get a written estimate with a breakdown of all labor and material costs.

• Avoid choosing a plumber solely based on price, as the lowest estimates may indicate less experience or poor workmanship.

• Don’t pay in full until the job is complete.

Questions to ask plumbers

Ask these questions to ensure you hire the right plumber for the job:

• How long have you been in business?

• Do you have any plumbing certifications?

• Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

• Does your estimate include all labor and material costs?

• What other costs might come up during the project?

• Is the estimate based on a flat fee for this service or an hourly rate?

• How long will the job take?

• Will there be any cleanup afterward, and is it included in your estimate?

• Do you offer a warranty or guarantee?

• What other things do you recommend to lower my water bill?