If your water bill jumped and your meter keeps moving when you are not using water, a leak is the most likely cause. You can confirm that in about fifteen minutes with a simple meter test, a toilet dye test and a look around the yard. Those checks tell you whether to call the water utility about the bill or a plumber about the leak.
Charleston Water System, which serves Hanahan, says a high bill usually comes from a change in water use or a leak. The checks below follow that guidance and add what a plumber looks for once a leak is confirmed.
The home meter leak test
Do this when nobody is using water.
- 1
Stop all water use
Turn off every faucet and shower, pause the dishwasher and washing machine, and make sure the ice maker is not filling. Check that the irrigation system is not running.
- 2
Find and open the meter box
The meter sits in a box near the street or property edge. Lift the lid with care and clear any dirt or debris from the register.
- 3
Check the leak indicator
CWS says newer meters show a faucet icon when flow patterns suggest a leak, and on older meters a small red triangle turns when water flows through. If it is moving with everything off, water is going somewhere.
- 4
Read the dial, wait, read again
Note the numbers, wait 30 minutes with no water use, and read it again. Any change confirms flow.
- 5
Shut the house valve and look again
Close your shut-off valve, usually near an outdoor spigot. If the meter still moves, the leak is likely between the meter and the valve. If it stops, the leak is inside your plumbing.
The toilet dye test
Toilets are the most common silent leak. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank, do not flush, and wait about 10 minutes. If color shows in the bowl, the flapper is leaking into the bowl. CWS notes that a running toilet can silently waste up to 200 gallons a day, so this check is worth doing even if the toilet seems quiet.
A worn flapper is a cheap part, and replacing it is often a short job. Flush afterward so the dye does not stain the tank. If you would rather have it handled, our toilet repair service covers flappers, fill valves and tank hardware.
Other places water escapes
Work through these before you decide on a call.
- Outdoor spigots and hose bibs that drip or have a hose left attached
- Sprinkler heads that are broken, stuck open or spraying onto pavement
- Irrigation zones that run on a timer at odd hours
- A water heater relief valve line that drips
- A dripping faucet or shower valve
- A wet patch or unusually green strip in the yard along the service line
- A softener or filter that runs a regeneration cycle (if you have one)
- An aquarium, pool fill or hose left running
CWS lists running toilets, leaking outdoor spigots and damaged sprinkler heads as typical leak sources.
Ready to book?Call and we will find the earliest slot, often the same day when the schedule allows.
Call (855) 575-2890What the test results mean and who to call
Match what you saw to the next step.
| What you found | Likely location | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Meter moves with all water off, stops when house valve closes | Inside the house plumbing or a fixture | A plumber |
| Meter still moves with house valve closed | Service line between meter and house | A plumber for the leak, CWS if you think the meter is faulty |
| Meter is still, bill is high | Higher use, estimated read, or an irrigation event | CWS about the bill and billing cycle |
| Toilet dye shows in bowl | Flapper or fill valve | A plumber, or a DIY part swap |
| Wet yard patch, meter moving | Underground line | A plumber for locate and repair |
When to call CWS about the bill and when to call a plumber
Call Charleston Water System at (843) 727-6800 when the meter is still, the leak checks come up clean and the bill is still hard to explain. That call is about the reading, the billing cycle and whether a read was estimated. CWS says meters are read about every 28 to 31 days and that if a reading cannot be taken the bill is estimated from past use and corrected the next month.
Call a plumber when the meter moves with everything off or when you find a wet spot, a failing fixture or a pipe that you cannot repair yourself. Our leak detection team finds the source, and if the leak sits on the service line, water line repair is the fix.
CWS also says only the sewer portion of the bill can be adjusted after a leak, since leaked water usually does not enter the sewer system, and you need proof of repair. Toilet leaks do not qualify, and one adjustment is allowed every three years. Keep the plumber's invoice.
Irrigation and sprinklers
Irrigation drives many summer bill jumps, and a broken head or stuck valve can run for hours before anyone notices. Run each zone by hand while you watch for geysers, soggy ground and mist on pavement. If a zone keeps running after it should stop, the valve may be stuck open.
CWS explains that water used only for irrigation does not reach the sewer system, and that a separate irrigation meter and account is not billed for sewer. That is a billing matter to raise with CWS, not a plumbing fix. A plumber can still repair broken lines and heads and check the connection point to the house.
When this becomes an emergency
If you see water spraying from a pipe, a wet ceiling, a soaked floor or a pipe that has burst, close the main shut-off valve and call. A burst pipe does not wait for the end of the billing cycle, and the water can reach outlets and appliances fast.
Homeowners in Goose Creek and North Charleston can call us about a meter that will not stop. If it keeps moving after you shut the house valve, the leak is outside the house and a plumber can locate it.
Hanahan local note: CWS serves your water, and the meter is theirs
The City of Hanahan Public Works page lists Charleston Water System at (843) 727-6800 for water, and CWS lists Hanahan in its retail water area. The meter at the street belongs to the utility, so that is who to call about reading, estimated bills and a faulty register.
Your side of the meter is your responsibility, and CWS leak guidance points to the line between the meter and the house as the next place to look. That split gives you a practical rule: the meter and billing questions go to CWS, and anything downstream goes to a plumber.
Because CWS adjusts only the sewer portion of the bill and needs proof of repair, a dated plumber invoice and a photo of the meter before and after the repair give you the paperwork you will need.
- Sources checked (Water utility high bills and leaks page, Water utility FAQ, City of Hanahan Public Works page)
- Charleston Water System, High Bills and Leaks
- Charleston Water System FAQ, Billing and Customer Service
- City of Hanahan, Public Works, Important Phone Numbers
Frequently asked questions
Why is my meter running when nothing is on?
Water is moving somewhere. The usual causes are a toilet flapper, an outdoor spigot, an irrigation valve or a pipe leak. The meter test and house shut-off valve test narrow it down.
How do I find the leak indicator on my meter?
CWS says newer meters show a faucet icon when flow patterns suggest a leak, and older meters have a small red triangle that turns when water flows. With every fixture off, either one moving means a leak.
Will CWS take money off my bill for a leak?
CWS says only the sewer portion can be adjusted, with proof of repair, once every three years, and toilet leaks do not qualify. Call (843) 727-6800 for details.
Can the bill be high with no leak?
Yes. Guests, extra watering, filling a pool or an estimated read corrected the next month can all raise a bill. The meter test tells you whether the cause is a leak.
Who do I call in Hanahan if the meter keeps moving after I close my house valve?
Call a plumber, because the leak is between the meter and the house valve, which is on your side. Call CWS if you think the meter itself is faulty.