Help Center

If you have received a high water bill, you can take a few steps on your own to determine whether or not you have a leak.

  • Check the Water Meter
  • Calculate Consumption
  • Check the Irrigation System

Check Water Meter

Check your water meter! The meter has a dial in the shape of a triangle or pegged wheel which is the leak indicator. If all fixtures are off, the leak indicator should not be moving. If it is moving then you most likely have a leak.

Check all toilets and any other fixtures that may be on such as a hose or sink valve not shut all the way. If anything is left running it will give you a false reading on the leak indicator. If you checked all your fixtures and toilets and still see the leak indicator moving you most likely have a leak.

water meter Help Center

Calculate Consumption

Another way to check for a water leak is to calculate the numeric change on the meter. Before you run this test be sure that all fixtures are off and no toilets are running.

Then do the following:

  • Before you go to bed at night go to your water meter and write down the current usage. Do Not use any water after you take the readings!
  • In the morning go to the meter and take down the readings. Be sure not to use any water before you take the readings!
  • Subtract the previous night’s reading from the current reading to get the consumption.
  • If there is no change you don’t have a leak. It’s likely that it is a consumption issue.

Check Irrigation

Irrigation can consume a very large amount of water per cycle. Any change that increases the cycle time will significantly impact your water bill. The average irrigation system will consume between 12 – 20 gallons of water per minute. Just adding one additional day per week to the irrigation schedule can increase your water bill by as much 50%.

After The Repair

Be sure to make a copy of the plumbing and leak detection invoices and contact your water company to get reimbursed for a portion of the increased water bill. Water companies typically reimburse the home owner for the increased sewage portion of the bill.