High Water Consumption?

 

Water is our most precious resource.  Doing everything in our power to prevent water waste helps to conserve this vital resource while saving money.  What you may not realize is there can be many hidden leaks you cannot so easily detect.  Water leaks account for higher water bills and even structural damage. 

Water leaks may not just cost you more money on your water bill; they could also cost you your home.  Water leaking into the structure of your house can weaken wood.  Sitting water in hidden spaces can also encourage the growth of molds.  Some molds are dangerous and can drive you from your home.

For many properties, the first suspicion of a leak occurs when high water consumption is noticed on the water bill.  Water leaks can come from leaking toilets, pipes, irrigation systems, among other areas.

Did you Know?

Waste per quarter at 60 psi water pressure

Diameter of stream

Gallons

Cubic Feet

Cubic Meters

1/4”

1,181,500

158,000

4,475

3/16”

666,000

89,031

2,521

1/8”

296,000

639,400

1,115

1/16”

74,000

9,850

280

A continuous leak from a hole this size would, over a three month period, waste water in the amounts shown above.
Leaking Toilets
High volume water leaks often come from toilets.  They are hard to detect and are usually caused by worn or misaligned parts.  A toilet that continues to run after flushing could be wasting 20-40 liters per hour – that’s 175 to 350 cubic meters per year, enough water to fill a swimming pool.  These leaks can cost you up to several hundred dollars per year

Checking for  a Toilet Leak
Step 1 – Carefully remove the toilet tank lid.  Place a dye tablet or food coloring in the tank.  Dye tablets can be obtained free at City Hall.
Step 2 – After 15-20 minutes, check the water in your toilet bowl.  If the water is colored, you’ve got a leak.  Toilet repairs may require the assistance of a plumber.

How to Check for a Leak
The best way to check for overall leaks is to use your water meter.  Follow these simple steps to determine if you have a leak.

Step 1 – Shut off all your water-using appliances and fixtures on the property.  These include all water taps inside and outside the house, showers, sinks, washing machines and any appliances that use water eg:  fridge

Step 2 – Find your water meter.  Meters have to be inside a warm area or they will freeze.  Some of the most common places to find your meter are the crawl space, furnace room, laundry room, utility room and occasionally, meters maybe located in a pit in the yard.

Step 3 – The water meter will have a small red triangle or diamond located on the face of the meter, which is called the “low flow indicator”.  If the red triangle is moving even slightly, then you have a leak.  Even a small leak in a service line can add up to a significant amount of water loss.

Step 4 – If you have a leak, you will need to play detective to find the source.  The most likely culprits are toilets, faucets, showerheads, service lines and sprinkler systems.

For more information, please call City Hall and one of our utility clerks would be happy to assist you.

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