Yes, a dripping tap can increase your water use, because water keeps escaping even when no one is using the tap. How much it wastes depends on how fast it drips and how long it is left, but a steady drip running day and night can add up over time.
Whether it affects your bill depends on how you pay for your water. Either way, it is usually a sign that something inside the tap needs attention.
How Much Water Can Be Wasted
A slow, occasional drip may waste only a small amount. A faster drip, or one that turns into a thin stream, will waste more. Because a dripping tap runs all the time, even a small amount can build up over weeks and months.
It is hard to give one figure that applies to every tap, as drips vary so much. If you have a water meter, comparing readings can show whether your use is higher than usual.
Effect on Your Water Bill
If your property has a water meter, the water lost through a drip will usually be measured and charged as part of your normal use. If you do not have a meter, your charges are usually fixed and a drip may not change what you pay, although the water is still wasted.
If a hot tap is dripping, the water lost has also been heated, which can add to energy use as well as water use.
Why a Drip Is Worth Fixing
A drip may get worse over time if the worn washer or cartridge continues to wear. It can also cause other problems, such as limescale or staining in the sink or basin, and dripping water can be irritating at night.
Drips that run down the side of a sink or basin can also stain it or wear away the sealant around it over time.
Fixing a drip early may mean a simpler repair, such as replacing a washer or cartridge, rather than dealing with a damaged seat or tap body later. It can also help you spot whether the problem is limited to one tap.
Turning the tap off harder to stop a drip is best avoided. This can damage the parts inside and may make the drip worse.
What You Can Do
Placing a bowl under the drip for a while can give a rough idea of how much water is being lost. If the drip is heavy and there is an isolating valve under the sink that turns easily, closing it can stop the water until the tap is repaired.
If you are a tenant, let your landlord or letting agent know about the drip, as they may need to arrange the repair. Our page on dripping tap repairs explains how dripping taps are assessed and repaired.
If you have a dripping tap in your Poole home, a plumber can check the cause and explain the repair options.