Whether you receive your water bill online or have it mailed to you, you may routinely skim through it without really reviewing the information it may contain.

Utilities use a variety of different billing structures and will provide different types of information on their water bill. For example, you can check out “Understanding your bill” webpages from Denver Water and Erie County (OH). But all water utilities use your water bills and the included materials to communicate with you.

Below are some that may be included in your water bill. It may be worth your time to read and review it.

• Account information
• Billing information
  • Billing date
  • Payment due date
  • Amount due
• Metered usage, which is how much water was used during a given billing period.
• Rate, which varies among utilities. Some utilities charge a flat rate up to a certain amount of water used and then additional charges for water usage beyond that amount.
• A breakdown of associated charges
  • Service charge, which is the fee your utility charges to provide water to your home
  • Pumping charges, which include the costs of maintenance and execution of transporting water from collection, through the treatment process. These fees are distributed among consumers.
• Usage information, which may include data such as a graph comparing your usage to others’ usage in your neighborhood or your monthly usage year over year. This information can be used to evaluate your water usage or alert you that there might be a leak in your home plumbing.
• An analysis of your water usage and an estimate of whether you’re using unnecessary water.
• Additional helpful information about affordability programs, water conservation tips and other news.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also offers an explanation of your water bill, including a breakdown of different billing structures and a detailed look at where your money goes.