Water Meter & High Water Bill Leak Detection in Mansfield, TX

Why your water bill went up

A higher bill has three possible explanations: you used more water, the reading or billing is off, or there's a leak. Before assuming a leak, rule out the obvious, like guests, a new pool fill, a summer irrigation schedule or billing-period length. If none of those explain it, the meter test will.

The most common leaks behind an unexplained high bill are a running toilet, an irrigation valve that doesn't fully close, a service line leak and a slab leak. Two of those are completely silent and invisible.

Reading your Mansfield water meter

Mansfield meters measure in gallons. The meter is in a box near the curb in front of your home, typically in line with an outdoor faucet, often under a lid marked "water." Lift the lid with a screwdriver rather than your fingers, and check for insects or small animals first.

Most meters read left to right like an odometer. Some have round dials. Many also have a small leak indicator, a triangle or star that spins with even a small flow. Subtract an earlier reading from a later one to get gallons used.

The meter leak test

1. Stop all water useFaucets, toilets, ice maker, washer, dishwasher and the irrigation controller.
2. Record the readingWrite down the full number, or watch the leak indicator.
3. Wait 15 to 30 minutesLonger is better for a slow leak. Overnight is best if the household can avoid using water.
4. Read againAny change means water is leaving the system after the meter.
5. Split itClose the house shutoff valve and repeat. This tells you inside or outside.

What the meter test results mean

Mansfield rates, WaterSmart and leak forgiveness

Rates. From October 1, 2026, Mansfield Water Utilities moved residential customers from three rate tiers to five. Under tiered pricing, extra gallons from a leak can push usage into higher-priced tiers, so a leak costs more than its volume alone suggests.

WaterSmart. The city's free WaterSmart portal lets you view your home's water use. Register with the account number on your bill. Usage that never drops to zero, even overnight, is a strong sign of a continuous leak.

Leak forgiveness. The city has a Leak Forgiveness Form for customers affected by a leak. The city decides eligibility, so ask Utility Billing at 817-276-4230 and keep a record of where the leak was found and when it was repaired.

Water loss investigation

When the meter says water is going missing but nothing is visibly wrong, a water loss investigation works through the property methodically. Readings and isolation narrow the system section by section, then the leaking section is pinpointed with acoustic, thermal, tracer gas or pressure methods. You end up with a location, not just confirmation that there's a leak.