Read the bill before you read the meter
Start with the bill itself. Compare the gallons used with the same month last year, not just last month; summer irrigation and holiday guests change usage a lot. Check that the read dates cover a normal number of days. A longer billing period means more gallons without any leak.
Then separate the fixed charges from the volume charges. Fixed charges depend on meter size and are the same every month. If the dollar increase is all in the volume lines, water use really went up. The tables on this page show the city's FY 2026-27 rates so you can do the arithmetic yourself.
| Charge | Inside city | Outside city | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water infrastructure / fixed charge, 3/4-inch meter | $10.50 | $17.55 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Water volume charge per 1,000 gallons (first 1,000,000 gallons) | $1.57 | $3.14 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
The sewer side of the bill
On city sewer, every gallon of water is billed again as sewer volume. That is why a leak raises the sewer charge more than the water charge for customers inside the city. If your household fills a pool or waters a large garden from the house meter, that water is billed as sewer too, which is one reason some owners add a separate irrigation tap.
| Charge | Inside city | Outside city | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sewer infrastructure / fixed charge, 3/4-inch meter | $17.83 | $27.30 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Sewer volume charge per 1,000 gallons (first 5,000,000 gallons, effective 8/1/2026) | $4.05 | $8.12 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Flat sewer fee | $40.00 | $58.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
Know what the city and county charge, then let an independent local plumber price the repair.
Call (828) 604-6266The meter test
Turn off every faucet, appliance and irrigation zone. Make sure no one flushes or runs water. Open the meter box lid, note the reading and whether the small leak indicator is turning. Wait an hour without using water and read it again. If the reading changed or the indicator moved, water is leaving the system somewhere after the meter.
Next, close the main valve at the house and check the meter again. If it still moves, the leak is in the service line between the meter and the house, which is usually the owner's responsibility. If it stops, the leak is inside the house or on a branch line.
Treat the meter box with care. The fee schedule lists charges for a damaged meter and for illegal reconnection of service, and tampering costs are billed at cost.
Inside the house: the usual suspects
Toilets lead the list. A worn flapper, a misadjusted fill valve or a chain that catches can let water run silently into the bowl. The dye test takes fifteen minutes. Listen for the fill valve cycling on and off when no one has flushed; that is a slow leak.
After toilets come water heater relief valves, dripping tub spouts, ice maker lines, water softener regeneration that never stops, and leaks in the crawlspace. A wet spot in the yard between the meter and the house, or a patch of grass that stays green in a dry spell, points to the service line.
Irrigation and outdoor use
Irrigation systems are the second big source of surprise bills. A stuck valve can run a zone all night. The City lists an irrigation rate per 1,000 gallons, and fire hydrant use for filling tanks is billed separately with an administrative charge.
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation rate per 1,000 gallons, inside city | $1.57 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Irrigation rate per 1,000 gallons, outside city | $3.14 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Fire hydrant use, per 1,000 gallons | $2.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Fire hydrant tank load administrative charge | $25.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
When the meter or reading is wrong
Meters can fail, and readings can be misrecorded. If your own meter test shows no leak but the bill is still high, call City of Morganton Customer Service and ask for a re-read or a meter check. Ask what the City charges for a meter test and whether it is refunded if the meter is found inaccurate. The FY 2026-27 schedule lists an electric meter test fee with that refund rule; ask how the water side is handled rather than assuming the same terms.
Damage to the meter or its box is charged under the schedule, so let the City handle the meter itself.
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Meter moved at the customer's request (actual cost if more) | $100.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Damaged meter (actual cost if more) | $100.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Water and sewer tap inspection, per tap | $50.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Water and sewer availability letter | $50.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
A quick checklist before you call anyone
Write down the gallons on the last three bills and the same months last year. Do the meter test with everything off. Do the toilet dye test on every toilet. Walk the yard between the meter and the house looking for soft or wet ground. Check the water heater relief valve discharge pipe and the crawlspace for drips. Look at the irrigation controller's schedule and run each zone briefly to watch for broken heads. If you find the cause, fix it and watch the meter for a day to confirm. If you do not, a plumber can take it from there with the results you have already gathered.
Keep a simple meter log
Once the bill is back to normal, read the meter on the first of each month and write the number down. A steady log makes the next leak obvious within weeks instead of a billing cycle later, and it gives City customer service a clear record if you ever need to dispute a reading. It takes less than a minute a month and needs nothing more than a notebook kept by the door.
When to bring in a plumber
If the meter test shows a leak you cannot find, a plumber can isolate branches, pressure-test lines, and use acoustic equipment to find leaks in walls and under slabs. For service-line leaks, the repair means digging in the yard; an NC811 locate request comes first, and the plumber should file it.
Ask for a written description of the leak and repair. If you plan to ask the City about a bill adjustment, that invoice is the evidence they will want. The Free Quote Request form on this page goes to independent plumbers who work in Burke County. Include the result of your meter test in the request.
Figures on this page come from: City of Morganton: Schedule of Fees and Charges, FY 2026-2027 (PDF); City of Morganton Finance: Schedule of Fees and Charges; NC811: North Carolina One-Call Center. Checked 2026-10-29.
Describe the problem once. Independent plumbers who work in Burke County can follow up.
Call (828) 604-6266Quick answers for Morganton homeowners
Why did my Morganton water bill double?
Usually a leak or extra outdoor use. Compare gallons with last year, then do the meter test with everything off.
Is the service line from the meter to my house my responsibility?
Typically yes. The city maintains its side of the meter; confirm with City Customer Service for your address.
What does irrigation water cost in Morganton?
The FY 2026-27 schedule lists $1.57 per 1,000 gallons inside city limits and $3.14 outside.
Can I touch the meter?
Read it, yes. Damage and tampering are charged under the city schedule, so leave valve work and repairs to the City.