If the water usage on your HDB utility bill jumps, compare the billed period and consumption before assuming there is a leak. Check the meter number against your SP Utilities record, and record the meter reading if it is safely accessible. PUB says a meter that continues to move while water is not being used can indicate a possible leak.
Separate a billing question from a plumbing question. If the reading or billing period seems wrong, ask the billing provider to explain it. If the meter suggests ongoing flow when nothing should be drawing water, contact a PUB-licensed plumber for regulated plumbing work.
- Compare the bill periods and the water volume in cubic metres.
- Match the meter number with the account.
- Record a dated reading from a safe location.
- Check for ongoing usage when water is not being used.
- Send the right records to the billing provider or plumber.
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Compare volume before comparing the bill total
Check the start and end dates for both bills and the water consumption shown. A longer period can produce a larger total even if daily usage is similar. Check whether a reading was estimated or whether an adjustment appears. Household visits, extra laundry or a change in occupancy may also explain a genuine increase.
| Check | What to record | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Bill period | Start and end dates | Helps compare like periods |
| Water usage | Cubic metres and any adjustment | Separates usage from the total bill |
| Meter identity | Number on meter and on the account | Prevents comparing the wrong meter |
| No-use observation | Dated readings and what was turned off | Helps identify possible ongoing flow |
| Follow-up | Enquiry or plumber’s findings | Shows what has been verified |
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Take a reading without disturbing the meter
Follow PUB’s residential meter reading guide. It explains how to match the meter number, read the display and submit a reading during the period indicated in SP Utilities. If the meter is difficult to reach or you are unsure which one is yours, ask for help rather than opening equipment or entering an unsafe area.
When it is safe and practical, check for movement while taps and water-using appliances are off and household members are not drawing water. Record what you observed and the time. Continued movement can point to a leak, but it does not identify where it is. Use PUB’s plumbing works guidance to check contractor requirements.
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Worked example with a higher reading
A household notices a large increase after several months of similar water use. It compares the bill periods, matches the meter and records the display. The meter appears to move while no one is using water. The household notes the result and gives a licensed plumber the observation and its recent usage history. It keeps the plumber’s findings with the bill in case it needs to follow up.
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Frequently asked questions
Does a higher bill prove a hidden leak?
Compare the billed volume, period and actual reading. A no-use check can help identify a possible leak, and an assessment can investigate the source.
Can I submit my own reading?
Check the submission window in SP Utilities and follow PUB’s reading instructions.
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Next steps and official sources
Compare the bill and meter first. If the reading suggests ongoing flow, record it and arrange the appropriate plumbing assessment.