Why is my water bill so high? (Hidden leak credit)

In Modesto, you can request a bill credit for a hidden leak if you meet the utility's eligibility and deadline rules.

90days to ask for the adjustmentwithin 90 days of the billing period where the leak happened

City of Modesto Utility Billing Division deadlines, checked Oct 28, 2026.

From the repair to the answer

City of Modesto Utility Billing Division deadlines, checked Oct 28, 2026.

Leak credit rules

Utility	City of Modesto Utility Billing Division
Deadline	within 90 days of the billing period where the leak happened
Credit amount	Residential accounts receive a credit for water usage based on the previous year's usage for the same month, capped at $1,500 for up to three billing periods. Commercial accounts receive a credit for water and commercial sewer based on the previous year's usage for the same month, capped at $3,000 for up to three billing periods.
Required proof	Receipts from a licensed plumber, receipts for self-repair parts, or photos and other documentation of the repair.

Consult the water meter before and after a two-hour period of not using water. If the meter changes, there is probably a leak.

Each fact is checked automatically against its source, on the date shown. How we build these pages

We left out who qualifies and how to submit under “Leak credit rules”: the source doesn't state it clearly enough. Ask the office or utility named on this page.