How to Check for a Water Leak

Finding water leaks helps you save money on water and wastewater bills. Follow these easy steps to determine if you have a leak in a domestic or a sprinkler irrigation system.

Follow these steps to find out if your system has sprung a leak:

Step 1: Lift lid on meter. Turn on water at house. Meter should be turning.

Step 2: Turn off all water to house and isolate water using appliances. Observe meter. Meter should NOT be turning.

Step 3: If meter is turning with all water turned off, customer has a leak between the meter and the house and is responsible for repair.

To check a toilet for a leak:

Flush the toilet and while the reservoir is still filling, add two or three drops of food coloring to the water in the reservoir.

Wait 15-30 minutes. If the water in the bowl changes colors, the flapper valve needs to be replaced. In leaky toilets, the flapper valve often needs to be replaced.

If the water in the tank is running over the overflow tube, the valve is not shutting off when the water in the tank returns to normal and the valve assembly may need to be replaced.