First, compare the change
A higher water bill can come from increased household use, seasonal outdoor watering, a rate change, or a leak. Start with the dates on the bill and compare them with the weather and your irrigation schedule. A hot, dry stretch in Central Indiana may increase watering needs, but a sudden unexplained jump is worth investigating. If the utility provides usage history, look for a change that began around a specific week.
Look for signs outdoors
Watch for pooling near sprinkler heads, unusually wet ground, soggy sidewalks or water flowing into a street drain. A broken head may send water in the wrong direction. A buried irrigation leak may not be obvious at the surface, and a valve that does not shut completely can allow water to move after a cycle ends. Extra-green patches surrounded by dry grass can also be a clue, though they do not prove there is a leak.
Review the controller
Check which days, start times and run times are programmed. Multiple start times can accidentally repeat an entire watering schedule. A seasonal adjustment or rain-sensor issue may also cause more watering than expected. Do not change unfamiliar settings at random; take a photo of the current program first. If a landscaper or maintenance company changed the schedule, compare notes before making another adjustment.
A simple isolation check
If you know how to safely shut off only the irrigation supply, note the meter reading or utility usage before and after an appropriate period with irrigation off. This may help narrow down whether outdoor watering contributes to the increase. Do not operate an unfamiliar valve or interfere with a backflow assembly. If the meter continues to move, there could be another water-use source on the property.
Where professional help fits
HydroGreen can discuss irrigation operation, repairs, adjustments and system checks for residential and managed properties. A useful visit begins with the symptoms you observed: where water appears, which zone was running, and when the bill changed. Photos can help but are not required. Some repairs need parts or additional diagnosis, so ask about the scope and approval before work proceeds.
Protect water and curb appeal
A properly operated irrigation system should support healthy lawns and planting beds without unnecessary water use. If your bill looks wrong, contact HydroGreen with your service address and what you have noticed. We serve Indianapolis and surrounding Central Indiana communities, and you do not need to diagnose the problem before reaching out.
Keep a few days of notes if the problem is intermittent. Record which zones ran, whether any head stayed on after the controller stopped, and whether unexpected wet spots reappeared. That simple history can make a conversation about irrigation troubleshooting much more productive.