If you have ever opened your utility bill and felt a jolt, you are not alone. A running toilet, a leaky irrigation line, or a one-time pool fill can turn a normal bill into a shocker. The good news: Downers Grove gives you a powerful tool to see water use in near real time and catch problems before they get pricey.
Stop surprise water bills now
Downers Grove’s DG WaterSmart is a customer portal that lets you track hourly and daily water use, set leak and high-use alerts, and forecast your next bill before it arrives. The Village links to the WaterSmart portal as a free resource for customers, and it is the easiest way to turn water usage from a mystery into something you can manage per the Village’s utility page.
Why act now? Downers Grove bills every two months. One undetected issue can affect an entire bimonthly cycle, and sewer charges are typically based on the same water volume. With alerts and simple checks, you can avoid those compounding costs according to Village billing practices and the sanitary district’s explanation of sewer billing.
Water monitoring: how it helps
A usage-tracking portal turns your meter data into clear charts, notifications, and estimates. Instead of guessing, you can see what is normal for your home and what is not.
Real-time insights vs. traditional bills
Waiting for a bill means learning about a leak too late. DG WaterSmart shows near real-time hourly and daily trends so you can spot continuous flow at night, sudden spikes, or seasonal swings as they happen. Utilities that use WaterSmart typically present hourly or multi-hour reads that make patterns easy to see as described in example implementations and WaterSmart product materials. If usage looks off, automated alerts can reach you by email, text, or phone so you can act fast based on common alert features.
Benefits for owners and renters
- Homeowners: Catch leaks early, budget with confidence, and plan maintenance before issues escalate.
- Condo and townhome residents: Understand building usage patterns, keep tabs on in-unit fixtures, and set alerts tailored to your square footage and occupancy.
- Landlords: Share access or notifications with tenants, set house rules for irrigation, and reduce risk of big bills between turnovers.
Set up your account and alerts
The goal is simple: create your login, turn on alerts, and teach the portal what “normal” looks like for your household.
Create and verify your account
- Locate your utility account number from a recent bill or your online account.
- Create your credentials and verify your email and mobile number so alerts reach you.
- Confirm your service address and account details match your current residence use the Village’s WaterSmart link from the utility page.
Configure notifications and thresholds
- Choose how you want to be notified: email, text, or phone.
- Enable leak and high-use alerts. Many utilities define leaks as continuous flow for several hours or days, and high-use alerts when hourly use exceeds a threshold. Exact thresholds can vary by utility, so review and adjust yours to fit your home size and routines reference typical alert settings.
Add household details for accuracy
- Enter number of occupants, irrigation schedules, and any special uses like a water softener or pool.
- The portal uses your inputs and history to improve forecasts and flag unusual patterns more accurately per WaterSmart’s self-service features.
Read your data, act fast
You do not need to be a data expert. A weekly 60-second check can prevent expensive surprises.
Spot patterns in daily and hourly charts
- Baseline: Get a feel for typical weekday and weekend use.
- Nighttime flow: Zero or near-zero flow overnight is normal. Steady overnight usage often points to a leak.
- Seasonal shifts: Expect higher summer use if you irrigate. Watch for patterns that do not match your schedule.
- Spikes: Short, high spikes can be irrigation or filling tasks. Repeated spikes at odd hours deserve a closer look guided by how utilities present hourly data.
What to do when usage spikes
- Confirm the alert: Open your portal, note timing and volume.
- Quick checks: Pause irrigation, listen for running toilets, and inspect hose bibs and appliance lines. Toilets are a leading hidden culprit, and household leaks can waste thousands of gallons annually according to EPA WaterSense.
- Isolate fixtures: Turn off suspected fixtures one at a time to see if the hourly graph or meter flow slows.
- Shutoff if needed: If you cannot locate the source and water is flowing continuously, consider closing the main valve and call a licensed plumber.
Document findings and follow up
- Save screenshots of your usage graph and alerts.
- Keep a simple log with dates, times, and what you checked.
- Save repair receipts and take photos of fixes. If the bill is unusually high, contact the Village’s utility billing team to review options and next steps use the contact info on the utility page.
Stop leaks with smart maintenance
A few simple habits catch most problems before they snowball.
Common culprits to check first
- Running toilets and worn flappers.
- Irrigation leaks, broken sprinkler heads, or mis-set timers.
- Water softener stuck in a regeneration loop.
- Dripping faucets and shower valves.
- Appliance supply lines to dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines.
- Water heater drain valves or pressure relief leaks.
- Outdoor hose bibs left partially open.
- Sudden spikes from pool filling or pressure washing common issues echoed by homeowner resources and WaterSmart product guidance.
Seasonal and vacation settings
- Before travel, close the main valve if practical or at least shut off supply to toilets, icemakers, and washing machines.
- Pause or shorten irrigation during rainy periods and while you are away.
- Use the portal to set away alerts so any continuous-use notification gets your attention.
Simple meter tests you can do
- No-use test: Make sure all water is off. Check your portal or meter for movement after 30 to 60 minutes. Any flow suggests a leak.
- Toilet dye test: Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper likely needs replacement see EPA’s quick detection challenge.
- Fixture isolation: Shut individual fixture valves to see if continuous flow stops. Work methodically and note your results.
Rentals: policies that reduce risk
Smart processes can keep bills predictable across tenants.
Set expectations in leases
- Clarify who pays water and sewer, how irrigation is managed, and the requirement to report leaks immediately.
- Include guidance on winterization, hose removal, and when tenants must call you or maintenance.
Share access and educate tenants
- Provide tenants with view access to the portal and set shared alerts to both of you.
- Offer a one-page quick-start guide with leak tips and the basics of reading the usage chart.
- Encourage tenants to report any alert or unusual usage within 24 hours.
Move-in/out documentation
- Photograph meter readings at move-in and move-out.
- Capture the condition of toilets, shutoff valves, and appliance hoses.
- Keep records with timestamps and any repair receipts to support fair billing and deposits.
Local billing context you should know
Understanding how charges are calculated helps you budget and spot anomalies.
- Billing cadence: Downers Grove bills every two months. North side bills generate in odd months, south side in even months Village utility page.
- Water units and rates: One water unit equals about 748 gallons. For customers inside the Village, the commodity rate is $7.72 per unit and most single-family homes with a 5/8 inch meter pay a $19.37 bi-monthly fixed charge for water service, effective July 1, 2025 rate details here.
- Sample calculation: 7,480 gallons used in a cycle is roughly 10 units. Commodity charge is 10 × $7.72 = $77.20. Add the $19.37 fixed charge and the water-service portion is about $96.57. This does not include sewer or stormwater fees calculation based on Village rates.
- Sewer charges: The Downers Grove Sanitary District bills sewer separately, including a volume charge per 1,000 gallons plus a monthly service fee. Because sewer is tied to water volume, leaks raise both bills DGSD billing overview.
- Stormwater: A stormwater utility fee appears on your Village bill. It is not tied to your meter reading but is part of your total statement Village utility page.
How DG WaterSmart prevents bill surprises
- Near real-time usage: Hourly and daily charts make it easy to see continuous flow that suggests leaks utility examples.
- Automated alerts: Email, text, or phone alerts notify you of continuous flow or spikes so you can act early typical alert features.
- Forecasts and tips: Bill-forecast tools estimate your next bill and compare it to past periods so you can adjust before the cycle ends WaterSmart feature overview.
- Village-backed: Downers Grove highlights the portal as a free, customer-facing tool to improve usage visibility and detect leaks quickly Village utility page and Water Department context.
Put water usage on autopilot
You do not have to become a plumbing expert to stay ahead of your bill. Register for DG WaterSmart, set alerts that match your household, and check your dashboard once a week. When something looks off, follow a quick triage: pause irrigation, check toilets and fixtures, and document what you find. If needed, contact the Village or a licensed plumber and keep your repair records together.
If you are planning a move or managing multiple properties in the western suburbs, a consistent utility strategy keeps your costs predictable and your properties protected. When you are ready to buy, sell, or evaluate an investment, connect with Angela Walker for local guidance and integrated tools that make the entire process smoother. Get a Free Home Valuation and a clear plan for your next step.
FAQs
What is DG WaterSmart and how do I access it?
- It is the Village’s customer portal for near real-time water usage, alerts, and self-service tools. The Village links to it and explains setup on the utility page Village utility page.
How do leak and high-use alerts work?
- The portal watches for continuous flow and unusual spikes and can notify you by email, text, or phone. Exact thresholds vary, so review and set them to fit your home common alert features.
Why are bimonthly bills riskier for surprises?
- Downers Grove bills every two months. A single leak can affect the entire cycle, and sewer charges often follow water volume, multiplying the impact Village billing details and DGSD billing.
What are the current water rates in simple terms?
- One unit is about 748 gallons. The rate is $7.72 per unit plus a bi-monthly fixed charge based on meter size for customers inside the Village, effective July 1, 2025 rates and units.
What are the most common hidden leaks?
- Running toilets, irrigation leaks, softener malfunctions, dripping fixtures, and appliance supply lines are frequent culprits. Household leaks can waste thousands of gallons a year EPA WaterSense stats.
How can I check if I have a leak right now?
- Turn off all water, wait 30 to 60 minutes, and see if the portal or meter still shows flow. Do a toilet dye test and inspect visible lines and hose bibs simple EPA check.
Who do I contact about a billing anomaly or payment options?
- Reach the Village’s utility billing team using the contact methods listed on the utility page. You can also learn about Auto-Pay and payment choices there Village utility page.
