What a Hidden Leak Costs on Your Hollywood, FL Water Bill

The Rate Behind the Math

Cost per gallon is the easiest way to see what a leak is worth. A rate calculator built on the City of Hollywood's fiscal 2026 utility rates estimates water at about $4.00 and wastewater at about $11.59 per additional 1,000 gallons, for roughly $15.59 combined. Treat it as an estimate, because tiers and fees change.

Sewer charges matter because they are usually billed on the water you use. Water that leaks into soil never reaches the sewer, but it can still be billed as if it did.

Why the Same Leak Costs More Every Year

Hollywood commissioners approved a five-year plan in July 2026. Axios reported the typical water-only bill rising from about $33 a month now to more than $68 by October 2030, and the combined water and sewer bill from about $99 to $223 by 2031.

If rates roughly double, a $94 monthly toilet leak becomes closer to $190. That is why fixing a leak early is a better deal than waiting for a season with fewer expenses.

When It Is Time for a Professional

If the meter test says water is leaving the pipes and the toilet test is clean, the leak is in a supply line, a slab or an irrigation pipe. Leak tracing uses a pressure test and acoustic tools to find the spot before anyone opens a wall.

Once the pipe is found, repair or replacement is a separate decision, and you hear the price first. If the water has already soaked floors or cabinets, the sooner drying starts, the less rework follows. 24/7 water damage restoration handles that step.

Hallandale Beach condos add another wrinkle, since a leak can come from a shared line. Our Hallandale Beach page explains who owns which pipe.

Reading the Lines on the Bill

A Hollywood utility bill separates the water charge from the wastewater charge, and both depend on how many thousand gallons you used. One calculator built on the city's fiscal 2026 rates estimates a month with 5,000 gallons at about $29 for water and about $67 for sewer, a total near $97.

That is close to the $99 combined figure the city's own chart showed for 2026, which gives a reasonable cross-check. Your bill may also include a base charge, trash fees and other items, so compare the usage lines, not the grand total.

Look for the gallons used last month, the same month last year and the six-month average. A jump with no change in habits is the signal.

A Worked Example

Start with a household using 5,000 gallons a month and paying about $97 at today's estimated rates. Add a toilet leaking 200 gallons a day, or 6,000 gallons a month. At about $15.59 per extra 1,000 gallons, the leak adds roughly $94, bringing the bill near $190.

Now apply the 2031 combined figure from the city's chart, about $223 for a typical month. The same leak adds a larger share at that rate. If the per-gallon price doubles with the plan, the leak adds closer to $190 a month, and a year of ignoring it costs more than a plumber's visit and a flapper together.

Treat these as estimates, since tiers and fees may differ from the calculator. The direction is what matters: leaks cost more each year.

Seasonal Swings Are Not Leaks

South Florida bills swing with the seasons. Irrigation increases in dry months, pools need topping up, guests raise use and snowbird homes that sit empty show almost nothing. A rise that matches one of those is likely normal.

A leak shows up differently. It is steady, it runs at night, it keeps the meter moving when everyone is asleep, and it does not fall when the weather changes. The overnight meter test is the quickest way to separate the two.

The Bottom Line

A hidden leak costs real money now and more later. The overnight meter test, the toilet dye test and a close read of your bills catch most leaks early, and a professional finds the rest. Fixing it first is almost always the cheaper path.

If You Rent

Tenants who pay the water bill should read the meter each month and report a jump to the landlord in writing. Leases often assign plumbing repairs to the owner, and a dated record shows you reported the problem promptly. Owners benefit too, since a quick fix limits damage to the unit.

How to Ask the City for a Bill Review

Utilities will usually review an unusually high bill if you can show repair records. Keep the plumber's report and the receipt for any repair, then ask Public Utilities whether an adjustment program applies. Policies vary, and not every leak qualifies.

Call (954) 697-4920 if you want a leak found first.