Yes, a leaking irrigation line can raise your water bill, sometimes by a large amount. Sprinkler pipes run underground and may only leak when the system is on, so the problem can go unnoticed for weeks while water soaks into the soil.
Common Irrigation Leak Sources
- Broken or stuck sprinkler heads
- Cracked underground lines from roots, digging, or freezing
- Valves that do not fully close
- Loose fittings at the backflow preventer
- Damage from lawn mowers or vehicles
Signs to Watch For
Look for soggy patches or puddles in the yard, especially when it has not rained. Some areas may grow faster and greener than the rest of the lawn. Water bubbling up near sprinkler heads, weak spray from some zones, or sinkholes in the lawn are other clues. A bill that jumps during watering season is a common first sign.
Testing the System Zone by Zone
Turn off the irrigation system and all water in the house, then check your water meter. If it is still moving, the leak may be inside or on the main line. Next, run each zone one at a time and walk the yard, looking for heads that spray oddly or spots that flood. Some systems have their own shut-off valve, which can help separate them from the house plumbing.
Winter Concerns
Irrigation lines that are not drained before freezing weather can crack and then leak when the system starts in spring. Having the system winterized each fall helps prevent this.
Repairs to the sprinkler system itself are often handled by an irrigation company, while leaks in the main water line are a plumbing job.
If the meter keeps moving even with the sprinklers off, tracking down the leak on the water line is the next step. To check the backflow device and main connection, you can ask a plumber to look at the supply side at (833) 603-1840.