Leak and High Water Bills

[John Dehn]

I own and self-manage a property that recently had two drip valves break causing excessive water usage for January, February and March. Water bills for the property at typically in the $50-60/mo range but range $150 for January, $350 for February and $480 for March. Tenant is responsible to pay all water bills and inform me of repairs and maintenance in a timely manner. I was informed of high water bills on April 1 and had the problem fixed across April 7-8. Tenant is also responsible for all landscaping.

I covered the cost to repair the valves and now tenant is asking me to pay for excess water usage due to the broken valve ($700-800). Although I don't feel like I'm legally obligated, I'm trying to come up with a solution that works for both sides. I think one could argue January wasn't excessively high but I should've been immediately notified when February's bill was posted (March 7) so I could fix timely. To that effect, I'm thinking of offering to cover half of the excess usage ($500 for Jan/Feb - $100 Normal Usage = $400 split in 2). March would be sole responsibility of tenant due to lack of notifying me.

Does this seem fair? What would you do?