A higher-than-usual water bill can come from more water use, a leak or a billing question. The fastest way to sort those possibilities is to start with the dates and usage on the bill, then work outward through the house and irrigation system.
The checklist below is designed for Maricopa customers of Global Water Resources. It cannot diagnose every account, but it gives you better information before you call and a clearer record if the issue remains unresolved.
1. Compare usage, not only the dollar total
Global Water's bill includes the service period, water usage, current charges and adjustments. Compare the current usage with recent bills and with the same season last year if that information is available.
A change in the total due does not always mean the same thing as a change in gallons used. First confirm that the service dates are what you expect and look for a jump in consumption, an adjustment or a past-due balance.
Global Water says its rates, billing procedures and service terms are regulated and approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Current utility documents are available on the company's rates and tariffs page.
2. Check the customer portal
The utility's self-service portal is the place to review account information and usage history. Note when the increase began. A sustained rise can suggest a change in household or irrigation use; a sharp unexplained change may justify a leak check and a call to the utility.
Write down the billing period, the usage shown and any dates that stand out. Screenshots can help if information later changes or if you need to explain the sequence to customer service.
3. Run a two-hour no-use meter test
EPA WaterSense recommends checking the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is used. Turn off faucets, appliances that use water, irrigation and other planned use during the test.
If the meter reading changes, the EPA says a leak is likely. This is a screening step, not a diagnosis of where the water is going.
If you are unsure how to read the meter or cannot safely access it, contact the utility rather than disturbing equipment.
4. Test the toilets
Toilets can leak without making much noise. EPA WaterSense suggests placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank and waiting about 10 minutes. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, the toilet likely has a leak. Flush afterward so the coloring does not stain the tank.
A worn flapper is a common cause. Other indoor checks include dripping faucets, water around appliance connections and damp areas under sinks.
5. Walk the irrigation system
Outdoor watering can be harder to notice because it may run before sunrise or while no one is watching. Run each irrigation zone while you inspect it.
Look for broken sprinkler heads, pooling water, unusually wet soil, water spraying onto pavement and leaks near valves or pipe joints. EPA WaterSense also recommends checking that sprinkler heads are aimed correctly and that the system matches the needs of the landscape.
Recent weather matters too. If irrigation continued through a rainy stretch or a controller was reset, usage can climb without an indoor leak. OurMaricopa's local weather page can help you compare watering with recent conditions.
6. Document the result, then contact the right place
Global Water lists customer service at 866-940-1102. The same number is used for after-hours emergencies by following the prompts. The Global Water Center at 22590 N. Powers Parkway in Maricopa lists office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
When you call, have the account number, billing period, usage comparison, meter-test result and any repairs or irrigation findings ready. Ask what the utility can verify about the read and what documentation it needs for a billing review.
If the matter is not resolved, the Arizona Corporation Commission's Consumer Services division says customers should first contact their utility and then may file an informal complaint about a regulated utility. The commission can investigate issues involving rates, changes, responsibility for a bill, service policies and quality. Its online utility complaint form does not require an account.
For a broader list of utility and government contacts, see OurMaricopa's community and public services directory. New residents may also want the utility section in the Moving to Maricopa guide.
The useful sequence is: verify the bill, check the usage record, test for leaks, document what you find and give the utility the first opportunity to investigate. That turns an alarming total into a set of questions that can be answered.
Sources
Global Water Resources — Understanding Your Bill, accessed Sept. 28, 2026.
Global Water Resources — Contact Us, accessed Sept. 28, 2026.
Global Water Resources — Rates and Tariffs, accessed Sept. 28, 2026.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense — Fix a Leak Week, accessed Sept. 28, 2026.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense — Home Maintenance, accessed Sept. 28, 2026.
Arizona Corporation Commission — Consumer Services, accessed Sept. 28, 2026.