Check Your Water Meter: Water Bill increased from P5k to P27,500 a month due to Leak

Yes, our water bill amount has increased from its normal or average consumption of 80cu.m. (P 5,000.00) a month went up to 395cu.m. (P 27,500.00) last month.

We've missed checking thoroughly our water meter, instead, we've just assumed that there could be an underground leak which we could hardly determine any more. Because if the leak is above ground or on any of the upper floors of the building, we could easily notice its visibility. So, I have advised my staff to change the pipelines immediately.

On the other hand, I am thinking that a 395cu.m. water leaks underneath the building might loosen the stability of the soil below the ground where the pipes possibly embedded. I imagined that this volume of water could fill-in a swimming pool. So, if it's true about this volume of leaks then there might be an impact on our building. What you think??? What would be the effect of this much volume of leaks on the building? Where does the water go? Do you think that our water meter just malfunctioned?

Hereunder is the surprising abrupt increase in our water consumption;

We have tried to appeal to Manila Water to allow us to wave the excess amount and allow us to pay either;

• normal average consumption which is P5k to P10k or
• half of the amount which is P13,770.00 or

However, our appeal wasn't granted. Manila Water insisted that we have to pay the full amount because the leak is already our responsibility. It so sad because we have to pay such amount of money on water that we have not used or consumed.  It's around 6x of the volume or amount of water that we normally consumed every month.


So, Guys, let us all learn from this incident. Let's all have the habit to check your water meter from time to time so that you'd know if your water meter is rotating or moving normally.

In order to check and verify if water pipes have no leaks, just do the following;

1. Turned off all faucets and any appliances that consume water.
2. Ensure that no one is using your toilets during the leak test.
3. Check your water meter if it's moving or not.
     - if it is moving, then most likely there's a leak.
4. Double-check if the valves of faucets and toilets are tightly closed.
5. Check the meter again if still rotating.
     - if the meter is still rotating after closing all valves, repair the leak immediately.

Be diligent in checking your water meter at least once a week if you'd not want that what happened to us won't repeat on your case.