Compare like with like
Write down the start and end dates, the recorded readings, and the consumption units. Then note a change in occupancy, guests, irrigation, laundry, or other water use during that period. If the meter was replaced or the bill contains an adjustment, ask the utility to explain it. Do not compare a longer period directly with a shorter one without accounting for the dates.
If you can safely read the meter, remember that water used since the billing read will affect the number now displayed. A current reading is not expected to remain frozen at the billed value. Contact the utility when the reading or account detail seems inconsistent; a private plumber cannot correct the Village's billing record.
Look for consumption you did not intend
A toilet that refills unnoticed, a dripping fixture, or automatic equipment can contribute to use. Note visible symptoms and consider a coordinated no-use meter observation when access is safe. The observation can suggest unexplained consumption, but it does not locate a leak.
Track the date of a correction
If a repair is made, keep the invoice and completion date. The next bill may include use from before that day. Compare the relevant periods before deciding the repair had no effect. Ask the utility directly about any adjustment policy; no credit or refund is promised by this website.
If the billing explanation is sound but consumption remains unexplained, bring the dates and readings to a plumbing assessment. That gives the provider something concrete to investigate without turning a high balance into a guessed underground pipe failure.