Do I have to pay for water that was lost due to a leak in my plumbing?

Yes. If you have a water leak it is important to have it repaired as quickly as possible to avoid excessive loss of water. The utility is not required to absorb the cost of water lost due to leakage in customer plumbing and service lines. The most common cause for high bills is not leaks in pipes but running toilets or dripping faucets. Even small drips can amount to a substantial water bill over time.