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A broken water main is a spectacular example of water loss,
however, it is a loss that the utility absorbs. The small, sometimes
barely noticeable, leaks in your internal plumbing are costing
you money, as well as wasting an important resource, and even
a dripping faucet can “use” thousands of gallons
a year. To see what different size leaks waste, or to calculate
how much water an internal leak you may now have, is pouring
down the drain, try this Drip
Calculator provided by the American Water Works Association.
If you have just filled your pool, started watering your garden,
installed a dishwasher, or increased the number of people in
your home or business, you can expect a jump in your water usage.
But a one-time activity (such as filling your pool) should not
make your bill stay higher; and gradually increasing billed
volume should alert you to the possibility of a leak in your
system. When our meter readers notice a large jump in consumption
from the previous month, they leave a “leak letter”
suggesting that you investigate.
A 10-25% variation in water use is not unusual. If your volume
(indicated by the graph on your bill) increases by 25% or more,
or continues to creep up, and you have no rational explanation,
you should try the following:
1. Read the water meter, noting the position of the clock-style
hand that records individual gallons.
2. Wait at least 15 minutes without using water.
3. Look at the meter again to see if the hand moved. If it did
not, there are probably no leaks. Slow and intermittent leaks
can be detected by waiting longer between readings.
4. If the meter hand did move, check all faucets for visible
leaks.
5. Check the toilets for leaks by adding food coloring to the
water in the tank. Do not flush. Wait 15 minutes to see if the
colored water appears in the toilet bowl. If it does, there
is a leak.
6. If there appear to be no leaks inside your home, check outdoors
for underground leaks. Turn off your main valve to the house.
Open an indoor faucet to verify that the valve is working. The
water flow should stop completely. Check the meter to see if
it continues to run. If it does, there is a leak somewhere in
your plumbing between the main valve and the meter.
7. Repeat the meter reading procedure after making all repairs,
to ensure that there are no more leaks.
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