Duplex Water Meter, High Bill

[Alejandro Diaz]

I own a duplex that has one water meter and each has one tenant. I pay the water which is included in the rent. Avg monthly bill is $50-$60. This month's bill was $180. All fixtures and plumbing are new. I don't know if one of the tenants is abusing the water usage, or can there be a major water problem with the city? Can I get a meter for each and have them pay their own? 

[Frank Chin]

Ask the tenants if you can go into their units and check it out.

I had several incidents, one at s business I own, and one in the last several months at the 2 family where I reside. In both cases, it's the toilet, and the water didn't shut off completely after the flush. At my business the leak was major, in one 3 month period, I paid several hundred more. I had a plumber come fix it. Fortunately in NYC, I protested, and they adjusted the water bill if you can show it was fixed by a plumber, and its not a frequent occurrence.

Then, I noticed a minor leak in our toilet a few mounts ago. After each flush, a small amount of water continues to flow, but the amount seems minuscule, hardly noticeable. My wife and I were both sick, left it alone, and when we got the bill, it was $150.00 over the normal. We get a $400 bill every 3 months, but the last one was $550.00. Called a plumber, finally had it fixed.

So nowadays, whenever I have water bill anomalies, the first thing I check is the toilets.

You can also have a plumber check. They have a listening device that they place on walls to check for leaky pipes inside walls.