Why Is My Sewer Bill So High? Possible Causes and Solutions

No one likes to be taken by surprise by a higher-than-usual utility bill. When the sewer bill comes in higher than you expected, you may wonder, “Why is my sewer bill so high?” As it turns out, your sewer bill can go up for various reasons, from someone in the house deciding to take longer showers than they usually do to a leaky toilet that can get more expensive when left unnoticed. Find out what else might be causing your skyrocketing bills (and what you can do to fix it). 

What Causes a High Sewer Bill?

Sewage charges are based on the amount of water that you use measured in MCF (1,000 cubic feet), or 7,480 gallons of water. Additionally, sewage rates may change each year depending on federal funding and operational costs for your local sewage treatment facility. Sewer bills are often higher than your water bill because constructing sewage pipes on a municipal level and handling wastewater can be a complex and expensive process. 

However, if you notice an abnormal spike in your bill, that could be a sign of trouble somewhere in the house, particularly a leak.

Leaks

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. 

High Water Usage

Did the in-laws come to stay last month and take extra-long showers? Have you been running the dishwasher more frequently after hosting your weekly book club? When your water usage goes up, you’re likely producing more wastewater, too. This means you may see a higher sewer bill. 

Old Appliances

Old appliances and high water usage can go hand-in-hand. Modern appliances, like dishwashers and laundry machines, are often designed to work more efficiently, meaning they use (and waste) less water and energy to operate. So, if it’s been a while since you last updated your appliances, you may see higher sewer and other utility bills.

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What to Do When Your Sewer Bill Is High

If you want to avoid another high sewer bill next month, it’s time to figure out why the sewer bill is so high in the first place. From checking for toilet leaks to clearing out clogs in the sewer line, here are some steps to take when your bill is more expensive than normal.

Check for Toilet Leaks 

To check if your toilet is leaking, you’ll just need a bottle of food coloring, and any color will do the trick. Lift the lid of the toilet tank and pour about 15 to 20 drops of food coloring into it. Replace the tank lid, but don’t flush the toilet. Let this sit for about 30 minutes, then lift the toilet seat and check the bowl. If it has turned to the color you dropped in the tank, this is a sign your toilet is leaking, usually from the flapper or the overflow tube.

If the toilet is leaking, call in a pro to identify the cause. Because fixing the problem may require uninstalling the toilet and handling plumbing, it’s best to call in a plumber rather than attempting to DIY.

Look for Signs of Sewer Pipe Leaks

When the sewer pipes have a leak, they can release water under your home or in the ground outside. You might notice soggy patches of ground in the lawn, or your floors could feel spongy or moist. You may also notice a foul odor that smells like, well, sewage. You’ll need to hire a sewer service to find the leak and replace the damaged pipes.

Clear a Main Sewer Line Clog

Sewer line clogs can impact the whole sewer system or even mask other problems going on. Some warning signs of a main sewer line clog include water backing up in toilets, sinks, or other drains, slow-draining water, or flooding in your yard. 

You can learn how to clear a main sewer line clog yourself, which may solve a toilet that constantly clogs or a sink that is slow to drain. However, if you try clearing the main sewer line and still notice clogs, slow draining, or signs of a leak, reach out to a sewer service pro as soon as possible for assistance.

Upgrade Appliances

If your dishwasher, washing machine, or other wastewater-producing appliances are nearing 10 years of age, it might be time for an upgrade. Older models tend to be less efficient, and this may cause your sewer bills to increase over time. Home appliances cost anywhere from $350 to $8,000 each on average. You might see higher upfront costs for efficient models, but they can pay off in the long term by lowering your utility bills.

Have a Pro Inspect the System

Sewage systems are complex, and handling plumbing and wastewater is best left to the professionals. If you aren’t able to figure out the cause of your high sewer bill, hire a local sewer service to inspect the property. The pros will be able to quickly find the problem and efficiently solve it so that your system runs smoothly again and your monthly bill goes back to normal.

Average Sewer Bill Cost

The average monthly sewer bill can range widely by location, but on average, it’s about $60 to $70 per month. But when you have a leak or are producing higher-than-usual amounts of wastewater on your property, rates can increase by over $100 a month, leading to some sticker shock when the bill comes in the mail. 

By reviewing the average monthly sewer bill cost by state, you can get a better idea of when your bill is too high:

Average Sewer Repair Costs

When you start wondering, “Why is my sewer bill so high?” you’ll typically need to call in some pros to find and fix the problem. Because so many high sewer bills are linked to a leak or a problem with the sewer line, you’ll need an expert to quickly fix the problem so that you can get your utility bills back down to their normal rate. 

A sewer line replacement costs $3,080 on average, depending on the type of pipes in your home. Repairs can cost anywhere from around $100 to remove tree roots from around pipes to over $3,000 to fix a sewer trap. Repairing collapsed lines is one of the most expensive repairs, costing up to $250 per linear foot.

People living in rural areas may consider installing a septic system rather than having a sewer that connects to a municipal wastewater treatment center. If so, installing a septic system costs about $7,300 on average.