My mom called me yesterday and said, “My water bill is sky high—what do you think is going on?”
Here’s the quick calculation I did for her to estimate what her water use should look like if everything is running right:
📋 Step-by-Step:
1️⃣ Add up the total number of minutes your sprinkler system runs across all zones.
2️⃣ Multiply that number by 17 — this is a common estimate of how many gallons per minute most residential irrigation systems use.
3️⃣ Multiply again by how many times per month your system runs.
4️⃣ Add 6,000 gallons for normal indoor use in a 2-person home, or 10,000 gallons for a 4-person home.
🧮 Example:
Let’s say your system runs a total of 180 minutes each time.
180 × 17 = 3,060 gallons per run
3,060 × 8 watering days = 24,480 gallons for irrigation
Add 6,000 gallons indoor use = 30,480 total gallons
Now compare that number to what your water bill says. If your usage is way over that, something might be off—like a broken sprinkler head, hidden leak, or just watering way too much.
⚠️ If you’re not sure how to check, shoot my team a text or call at 512-943-6080. We’ll help you figure it out!
Justin
