CUSTOMER SERVICE :: BILLING AND RATES :: HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT FOR LOST CONSUMPTION (LEAKS)

The water meter is typically located near the curb in front of your property, with a rectangular concrete or black plastic lid.

 1.     “Time” the meter.

To time the meter for consumption, take a reading by reading all of the numbers on the water meter straight across from left to right (similar to the odometer on a car).  Write those numbers down.  Do not use any water inside or outside of the house for at least an hour.  Then go back to the meter and read all of the numbers straight across again.  If the numbers have changed or moved, it means water flowed through the meter and into your property.  It is the property owner's responsibility to locate and repair all leaks on the property.

2.     Take a “before and after” reading on the sprinkler system.

When operating your underground sprinkler system, write down the reading on the meter before the system starts cycling.  When it has gone through all stations and cycles, take another reading.  This is a good way to calculate from the readings how much the system used in the time that it ran.  Take that consumption figure and multiply it by the number of days you run the system in a month.  Be sure to add that consumption to your normal household usage to get the total consumption for the month.  If there are any leaks in the sprinkler system, they will only show up when you actually run the system.  It is the property owner's responsibility to locate and repair all leaks on the property, including private sprinkler systems.

3.     Take a “before and after” reading in your absence.

Take a reading of the meter before you leave the house for the day.  Then take another reading of the meter when you return home.  This may pinpoint if anyone is 'borrowing' your garden hose while you are away, if a certain water appliance is malfunctioning (such as an automatic swimming pool refill), or other similar activities.

4.     Do the food coloring test.

Some toilet leaks are 'silent' and cannot be seen or heard just by checking around the toilet.  To do the food coloring test on your toilet, put a few drops of food coloring in the water in the tank of your toilet.  Do not flush the toilet for 30 minutes.  If the coloring from the tank moves into the bowl by itself during this time, it indicates that there is a leak in the toilet.  It is the property owner's responsibility to locate and repair all leaks on the property.

5.     Use the private cut-off valve.

Some houses were built with a private cut-off valve for the owner to use so the City cut-off does not have to be operated to turn the water off.  Private cut-off valves are typically 6 to 12 inches below ground level, and are usually located right next to the City meter on the customer’s side or right under the outside spigot (hose faucet) next to the house.

Turn the private cut-off valve to the off position.  “Time” the meter for an hour (as described in item #1).  If the meter moves, there is a leak on the yardline (the pipe that runs between the meter and the house).  It is the property owner's responsibility to locate and repair all leaks on the property.

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