Chicago, IL · plumbing problem
High water bills in Chicago: metered vs. unmetered homes
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
Many Chicago single-family homes and two-flats still pay a flat, unmetered water bill. Through MeterSave, owners current on their bills can get a meter installed for free, with a seven-year guarantee that bills won't exceed what they'd have paid unmetered; the city reported average savings of 30% for single-family homes and 43% for two-flats. On a metered home, a jump in the bill usually means a leak.
What's different in Chicago
MeterSave encourages owners of unmetered single-family homes and two-flats to volunteer for a water meter, installed free of charge, if they're current on their water bills. [1]
Participants get a seven-year guarantee that bills won't exceed what they'd have paid unmetered, as long as they stay current; the guarantee doesn't transfer to a new owner. [1]
The city reported MeterSave customers saving an average of 30% on single-family homes and 43% on two-flats. [1]
Once you're metered, leaks show up
| Clue | Check |
|---|---|
| Bill jumped with no change in use | Meter leak test: all water off, watch the dial |
| Toilet refills between flushes | Flapper or fill valve |
| Basement floor always damp | Leaking supply line or water heater |
| Meter moves with house valve closed | Service line leak between meter and house |
Service lines in Chicago
Chicago's service lines are often lead, and repairs or replacement interact with the city's lead programs. See Chicago lead service lines and leak detection.
You may also be dealing with
- SymptomSigns of a hidden leak
- SymptomToilet keeps running
Common questions
Is a water meter free in Chicago?
Through MeterSave, installation is free for eligible single-family homes and two-flats.
Who qualifies for Chicago MeterSave?
Owners of unmetered single-family homes or two-flats who are current on their water bills.
What is the MeterSave guarantee?
For seven years, bills won't exceed what you'd have paid unmetered, if you stay current.
Does the MeterSave guarantee transfer when I sell?
No, it doesn't transfer to the new owner.
How much do Chicago MeterSave customers save?
The city reported about 30% for single-family homes and 43% for two-flats on average.
What MeterSave extras can I choose?
A conservation tool such as a rain barrel, a meter monitor magnet, or an indoor or outdoor conservation kit.
Why is my metered Chicago bill suddenly high?
Usually a leak; toilets and supply lines are common, so run a meter test.
How do I test my Chicago meter for a leak?
Turn off every fixture and watch the meter; movement means water is escaping somewhere.
Can a leak be in my Chicago service line?
Yes; if the meter moves with the house valve closed, the leak is between the meter and house.
Do unmetered Chicago homes pay for leaks?
Unmetered bills are flat, so leaks don't change the bill, but they still waste water and can cause damage.
More plumbing help in Chicago
- Water Line Repair in ChicagoHow lead water service line replacement works in Chicago: free and fee-waived city programs, who qualifies, what state law requires, and what the job involves.
- Basement flooding in ChicagoWhy Chicago basements flood in storms: combined sewers, the Deep Tunnel, how to read the water, and the backwater valve fix.
- Water bill suddenly high: the full guideWhat makes a water bill jump: running toilets, irrigation, hidden leaks, a billing estimate or a rate change. How to sort them out in under an hour.
- Plumbing in ChicagoLocal water, housing and climate conditions, and the calls Chicago homes need most.
How other cities handle it
- High water bill in San Antonio? Find the leak, then ask SAWS for an adjustmentA high SAWS bill usually means a leak. How to find it, which leaks SAWS reviews for a credit, the 60-day deadline after repair, and the paperwork it wants.
- High water bill in Atlanta: leaks, meters and account adjustmentsA high Atlanta water bill: what the Department of Watershed Management can adjust under city code, why private-line leaks are often the owner's, and how to prepare.
- High water bill in Miami: leaks and WASD adjustmentsA high Miami-Dade water bill: how WASD handles leak adjustments, why monthly accounts only get a sewer credit, the 60-day review, and how to find the leak.
- High water bill in Houston: leak adjustments under city codeHouston's leak adjustment: credits for leaks from freezes, corrosion or wear, 100% to 50% by repair speed, and the paperwork needed.
- High water bill in Dallas: DWU leak adjustmentsDallas leak adjustments: customers pay for leaked water, but DWU can bill excess use at the lowest rate for up to three months, once a year.
Sources (1)
- City of Chicago, MeterSave program announcement · checked 2026-10-03