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Why Your Water Bill Just Spiked: Top 3 Causes + What to Do (2025)

Published

2 months ago

July 1, 2025

Chiraag

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Hidden leaks, faulty meter readings, or a forgotten hosepipe? Here’s why your water bill might be climbing and how to fix it before the next one arrives.

It happens fast. One month your water bill is manageable, and the next? It balloons into something that looks more like a bond repayment. If you live in Johannesburg and your water bill suddenly spiked in 2025, you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining things. Residents across the city have taken to WhatsApp groups and social media to vent their shock, often sharing screenshots with captions like, “Is this even legal?”

Before you panic, let’s unpack the most common reasons behind that jaw-dropping number. From silent toilet leaks to municipal meter errors, here are the usual suspects and how to tackle them.

Also read: How to Tell If That ‘City of Joburg’ SMS Is Real or a Scam in Johannesburg 2025

1. The Silent Leak: Johannesburg’s Most Expensive Houseguest

Leaks are the leading cause of sudden water bill increases. Not the obvious dripping tap kind, but sneaky leaks hidden underground, inside walls, or quietly running in your toilet cistern.

A single running toilet can waste up to 750 litres daily; that’s thousands of rands down the drain each month. And it’s not just toilets. Dripping taps, leaking geysers, worn washers, and cracked underground pipes all silently guzzle water until your bill arrives with a nasty surprise.

What to do:

Try the food colouring trick: Drop a few drops of food dye into your toilet cistern. If the colour seeps into the bowl without flushing, you’ve got a leak.
Check your water meter: Turn off all taps and appliances, then watch the meter. If it’s still moving, water is flowing somewhere, meaning a leak.
Look for soggy spots: Unexpected wet patches in your garden or damp walls can signal underground leaks.
Call a professional: Licensed plumbers with leak detection tools can find hidden problems fast, saving you money in the long run.

2. Meter Mishaps: When the Bill Doesn’t Match Reality

If you’ve ruled out leaks but your bill still seems off, the issue might be on Johannesburg Water’s side. The city uses a mix of manual and remote meter readings, and errors or faulty meters can cause inflated bills.

In 2025, many residents have flagged concerns about estimated readings, often used when meters are hard to access, which can dramatically overstate usage. Faulty meters that over-record consumption aren’t unheard of either.

What to do:

Compare readings: Check your water meter yourself and compare it to the figure on your bill. If they don’t match, there might be an error.
Submit your own reading: If your bill was estimated, send your actual meter reading to Johannesburg Water via their website or customer portal.
Query your bill: Contact Johannesburg Water at 0860 JOBURG (562 874) or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre to dispute the charge.
Provide proof: When disputing, include copies of previous bills, photos of your meter reading, and payment proof if available.

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Image 1: Pexels

3. Spikes in Usage: Life Changes That Sneak Up on Your Bill

Sometimes, the cause is simpler than you think: lifestyle changes that quietly boost your water use. Hosting guests over holidays, watering a new garden, a new baby in the house, or working from home can all increase consumption. Adding appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, or pools also plays a role.

Johannesburg’s climate affects usage too. Summer heatwaves often mean more irrigation and pool refills, while colder months might see longer showers and more baths.

What to do:

Check seasonal patterns: Compare your current bill to the same month last year, not just the previous month.
Install water-saving devices: Tap aerators, low-flow showerheads, and dual-flush toilets help reduce consumption.
Adjust habits: Take shorter showers, fix dripping taps promptly, and avoid running washing machines or dishwashers half full.
Monitor your meter weekly: Keeping an eye on your usage helps spot spikes early so you can act quickly.

Bonus Tip: Know Your Rights

If you suspect you’ve been overcharged or there’s foul play, you have the right to dispute your bill. You don’t have to pay the inflated amount while your case is being reviewed. Often, residents can pay the average of their last three months’ bills during the dispute process.

If Johannesburg Water isn’t responsive, your ward councillor can help escalate the matter.

A high water bill is stressful, especially in Johannesburg, where municipal services can already be challenging. But once you know where to look and who to call, you can regain control. Whether it’s a rogue toilet, a broken irrigation line, or a billing error, fixing the issue sooner rather than later could save you thousands.

Remember: prevention is cheaper than repair. A quick leak check today might mean a much smaller bill next month.