What Causes High Water Bills in Lanzarote? 8 Reasons Your Bill Is Too High

Why Is My Water Bill So High?

Opening an unexpectedly high water bill is stressful. In Lanzarote, where water is precious and expensive, a spike in your bill demands immediate investigation.

After 10+ years helping Lanzarote homeowners, we've identified the 8 most common causes of high water bills—and what you can do about each one.

1. Hidden Water Leaks (Most Common)

The #1 cause of high water bills is a leak you can't see:

• Underground pipe leaks (between meter and house)
• Leaks behind walls (bathroom and kitchen pipes)
• Under-floor leaks (especially in properties with underfloor heating)
• Swimming pool leaks (extremely common in Lanzarote)

How Much Can a Leak Cost?

| Leak Size | Litres Lost/Day | Monthly Cost (approx) | |-----------|-----------------|----------------------| | Dripping tap | 20L | €5 | | Running toilet | 400L | €100 | | 1mm pipe crack | 1,000L | €250 | | Burst pipe | 5,000L+ | €1,000+ |

A single hidden leak can double or triple your bill.

The Meter Test

1. Turn off all water outlets
2. Check your meter's leak indicator (small dial)
3. If it's moving, you have a leak

Learn more about water meter behaviour →

2. Faulty Aljibe Float Valve

In Lanzarote, most homes use an aljibe (underground water tank) with a float valve. When this valve fails:

• Water continuously flows into the tank
• Excess overflows into the ground (invisibly)
• Your meter runs constantly
• Your bill skyrockets

Signs of a Faulty Float Valve

• Water meter spinning even when house is empty
• Aljibe always full but meter still running
• Wet ground near aljibe location
• Pump not needed as often (tank stays full)

This is often misdiagnosed as a pipe leak. Understand your aljibe system →

3. Leaking or Running Toilets

Toilets are silent water wasters:

• Flapper valve failure (most common)
• Continuous trickle into bowl
• Phantom flushes (toilet refilling on its own)
• Fill valve stuck open

The Toilet Dye Test

1. Add food colouring to the cistern
2. Wait 10 minutes without flushing
3. If colour appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking

A running toilet wastes 10,000-50,000 litres per month.

4. Swimming Pool Leaks

Lanzarote has thousands of private pools, and pool leaks are extremely common:

• Shell cracks from ground movement
• Plumbing joint failures
• Light niche seal failures
• Skimmer connection leaks

Pool Leak Signs

• Refilling more than once a week
• Chemical consumption increasing
• Wet spots around pool area
• Pump losing prime or showing air bubbles

Learn how to check for pool leaks →

5. Irrigation System Leaks

Garden irrigation systems often leak unnoticed:

• Broken sprinkler heads (buried by plants)
• Cracked drip lines (degraded by sun)
• Failed connections at control valves
• Main line leaks underground

Warning Signs

• Brown patches alternating with very green areas
• Soggy spots in lawn when not irrigating
• Pressure drop in irrigation zones
• Controller showing shorter run times than scheduled

6. Appliance Leaks

Household appliances can leak slowly:

• Washing machines (inlet hose connections)
• Dishwashers (drain connections)
• Water heaters (pressure relief valves)
• Refrigerator ice makers (water line)

These often leak into hidden spaces—under floors or behind units.

7. Dripping Taps and Showers

Easy to ignore but costly over time:

• A tap dripping once per second = 20 litres per day
• Mixer showers often drip from cartridge failure
• Outside taps frequently forgotten

Quick Fix

Replace tap washers or cartridges—usually a €5-20 repair that can save €50+ per year.

8. Meter Reading Errors or Billing Issues

Sometimes the problem isn't your water usage:

• Estimated bills that overcharge
• Meter reading mistakes
• Faulty water meter (rare but possible)
• Rate changes you weren't notified about

What to Do

1. Compare your meter reading with the bill
2. Request a meter accuracy test if suspicious
3. Check for rate changes on Canal Gestión website

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How to Investigate High Bills

Step 1: Check Your Meter

Record the reading, use no water for 2 hours, check again. Any change = leak.

Step 2: Inspect Visible Areas

• Check all taps, toilets, and visible pipes
• Look under sinks and behind appliances
• Inspect outdoor taps and irrigation

Step 3: Check Your Pool (If Applicable)

Perform the bucket test to rule out pool leaks.

Step 4: Consider Your Aljibe

If you have an aljibe system, the float valve is a prime suspect.

Step 5: Get Professional Detection

If you can't find the cause, you need specialist equipment:

• Acoustic detection for pipe leaks
• Thermal imaging for hidden water paths
• Pressure testing for plumbing systems

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Prevention Tips

Regular Maintenance

• Annually: Check aljibe float valve
• Monthly: Walk around property looking for wet spots
• Weekly: Check water meter reading

Monitor Your Bills

Keep a record of monthly usage—you'll spot anomalies quickly.

Fix Small Issues Promptly

Dripping taps and running toilets only get worse.

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Free Leak Confirmation

If you suspect a hidden leak is causing high bills, get certainty with our Free Leak Confirmation Test.

Get your free leak confirmation →

Contact Canary Detect for professional leak detection across Lanzarote. We serve Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, Yaiza, and all areas of the island.

Contact us now →