Water Bill:

Review your monthly usage on the WaterSmart portal, or on the graph on the upper right corner of your bill. If you see your bill getting incrementally higher, but your water use habits haven't changed, this could indicate a leak.

                          Water Meter:

Reading your water meter is a great way to identify a leak. The meter is generally located in a concrete box in the sidewalk in front of your home. 

Check out our page for reading your water meter here

Toilet:

Check your toilets for leaks with leak detection dye, available for free at the Water Conservation Office. First, open the tank and  add the toilet dye. After waiting for 20 minutes, check the toilet bowl for any colored water. If there is colored water present in the bowl, you have a leak. The most common cause for toilet leak is a worn out flapper. 

Faucet:

Look for slow drips or steady streams of water when your faucet is completely turned off. Faucets typically leak because of old washers, gaskets, or O-rings, and corroded valve seats. Turn off the water supply beneath the sink and disassemble the dripping faucet, paying close attention to the order of the parts. Note the faucet's brand and take the parts to your hardware or plumbing supply store to get the correct replacement parts.

 While checking for leaks, look to see if your faucet has an aerator – a screen that restricts flow and adds oxygen to the water as it leaves the faucet. The Water Conservation Office provides free aerators.

Shower head:

Look for slow drips or steady streams of water when your shower head is completely turned off. The common cause for shower leaks are worn washers and unsecured connection between the shower head and the pipe stem.  Make a tight connection by tightening and applying pipe or Teflon tape. Free shower heads are also available at the Water Conservation Office.

                          Outdoors:

Check outdoor equipment for leaks including hose bibs, pool pumps, and ponds. If you have an irrigation system, look for dripping water or puddles at all irrigation valves, sprinklers, emitters, and irrigation connections.

 After sitting all winter, most irrigation systems need a check up. Turn on each circuit and watch it run. Repair or replace any broken or malfunctioning spray heads. Once your system is running again for the season, don’t forget to look for signs of underground line breaks. These include wet and/or sunken soil areas, excessive plant or weed growth in an isolated area, and a drop in pressure along a circuit resulting poor irrigation coverage. An irrigation specialist will be able to make any necessary repairs if you need assistance.

If your irrigation system is old and you have several repairs to make, consider upgrading to low volume, water-efficient irrigation irrigation options such as drip, microspray, soaker hoses, or MP rotator nozzles. 
                                                                                                                                    

Still have Leaks?

If you have done all that you can to eliminate leaks from your home but still can't nip that drip, it might be time to either call a plumber or replace your leaking fixtures. The WaterSense label will help you find some of the most water efficient products on the market. Rebates and fare available free devices are available through the Customer Assistance Office.
                                                                                                          

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