2 Ontario homeowners shocked after receiving large water bills totalling nearly $20,000

You can expect a bigger water bill if you have a swimming pool, a sprinkler system, or if you use a lot of water. Sometimes, however, you can get an unexpected huge bill if you have an undetected plumbing issue you’re not aware of.

Two Ontario homeowners were shocked to get high water bills of $8,129 and $11,314 and were told they’re expected to pay them.

“I had to read it several times and thought are my eyes imagining things,” Inas Hamid, of Pickering, Ont., told CTV News Toronto.

‘I do not have a water leak’

Hamid reached out to CTV News after she received a large water bill totalling $11,314. She said after receiving this bill she had someone come to her home to check for leaks and they told her they couldn’t find one.

“I found out I did not have a water leak, everything is intact, everything is in place” said Hamid, who received her expensive water bill in 2023 and has been disputing it over the past year and a half with Durham Region’s water department.

When CTV News reached out to Durham Region, a spokesperson said in a statement:

“The Region of Durham is aware of ongoing concerns related to a resident’s water billing history. In general, several factors may contribute to a higher-than-average water bill. Common causes include undetected plumbing issues, such as continuously running toilets and seasonal activities like lawn watering, gardening, sprinkler systems, pool use and water softener operation.”

The region went on to say that homeowners are asked to submit water meter readings three times per year using a tele-read card.

“When readings are not submitted, bills are estimated. Over time, this may result in a larger “catch-up” bill once actual consumption data is received. The region has an appeal process, which can result in a rebate in accordance with the region’s by-laws,” it said.

In Hamid’s case, her bill was reduced from $11,314 to $7,242, and she paid the water bill, but still wants a refund.

“I would like that money back because I am a student and single mom and it’s wrong” she said.

‘I cannot pay the bill’

Scarborough resident Shahana Parvin was also stunned after receiving a water bill that came to $8,129. Parvin has five washrooms in her property and was told by the City of Toronto that there must be a water problem in her home.

“I was thinking I was going to have a heart attack. My husband is not working right now and both my parents have cancer and suddenly I get this bill,” she told CTV News.

Parvin said she contacted the city after receiving the bill, telling them that there must’ve been an issue with the water meter as she wasn’t using any more water than usual.

She told CTV News that she hired two plumbers to check for leaks and both of them told her they didn’t find any.

“So, I called another plumber, and he said there is no leak, nothing,” Parvin said.

When CTV News reached out to the City of Toronto, a spokesperson said in a statement:

“We are aware of a situation involving a homeowner who received a high-water bill due to elevated consumption between March and July 2025. We take these matters seriously and are committed to working with the property owner to find a fair and reasonable resolution.”

The municipality added that in this case it “promptly issued a high consumption notification letter in April after detecting a spike in water usage.”

“City staff determined the water meter continues to provide accurate readings and that the previous increase was due to water usage, which has since returned to normal levels as of July 31^st,” the City of Toronto said.

“Based on information shared by the resident and daily water usage data, corrective actions were taken by July 31st, we hypothesize that the homeowner was experiencing a leak. We welcome further discussions on a flexible payment plan, free of any interest or late charges.”

Parvin also has to pay her bill but is convinced she never had a leak in her home.

“I cannot pay the bill. I cannot afford (it),” she said.

Most water departments do have an appeals process if you get a large bill. A utility may also offer to reduce it or set up a payment plan. However, if you don’t pay it, it will go on your property taxes, and you’ll also have to pay interest.

It’s also advisable to listen for running water in under used bathrooms or to use food dye to check toilets for leaks.