WENTZVILLE, Mo. – Nine-hundred percent.
That's how high a Wentzville family's water bill shot up. And they couldn't figure out why.
Their bill said their usage jumped from about 6,000 to 83,000 in just one month, enough water to fill five swimming pools according to an expert.
So where was that water — and the family's money — going? Turns out it may have been going down the toilet.
When Alice Phillips' water bills jumped from $30 to more than $300, the woman said she was shocked.
“I could stand on my driveway and sell water to the whole of Wentzville and I couldn't use that much water,” she said.
The amount of water the City of Wentzville said she and her grandson used rose from over 6,000 to 83,000 gallons in just one month.
“We've actually been to City Hall a couple times,” he said. "They told us they're investigating and will get back with us, but nothing’s happened.”
Until 5 On Your Side called city hall. Wentzville Mayor Nick Guiccione took action.
“I looked into the issue with my staff,” he said.
Guiccione said public works attached a smart meter to the home.
“It tracks the daily usage of water,” he said. The meter showed the house was using 3,000-5,000 gallons a day.
The culprit? A leaky toilet.
“Every time that the toilet is flushed There's a chance that the flapper doesn't seal completely and water can be lost,” said Susan Spiegel, Director of Public Works for the City of Wentzville.
Spiegel told us about five swimming pools worth of water went right down the drain.
“It's amazing how much water you can use with a toilet leak,” said Guiccione.
Phillips said she was hoping for a different result so she would not have to pay such a high bill, but she is relieved she now knows how to lower her bills.
Wentzvlle leaders tell us leaky toilets aren't the only cause of high water bills. They recommend homeowners check faucets and lawn irrigation systems too.
To test the toilet, city leaders suggests putting food dye in the top tank of the toilet and waiting an hour. If you see the dye in the basin, you may have a leak and should call a plumber.
