Whose responsibility is it to fix leaks? That depends on where the leak is located. The Service Authority is responsible
for leaks on the street side of the water meter and in the meter pit. Leaks
from the connection to the water meter to the home, as well as leaks inside
the home are the responsibility of the customer. It is very important to repair
leaks as quickly as possible. Ignoring leaks can waste a great deal of water,
cause significant property damage and can be costly to the consumer. Quickly
addressing leaks will save water and money.
Check for leaking toilets Leaking toilets are the number
one source of wasted water in the home. A leaky toilet tank wastes
between 300 gallons (slow leak) and 60,000 gallons (running toilet)
per month. To detect
a slow leak, put food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 15
minutes without flushing. If the water in the bowl turns color, your
toilet
tank is leaking. Replace the parts inside your toilet tank. Repair
kits are inexpensive and are available at most home improvement
stores. The Service Authority recommends you perform this test at
least twice
a year. Catching a toilet leak at its earliest stage can save
a lot of water and keeping from pouring your money down the drain.
For
additional information on toilet maintenance and repair, we suggest
a visit to http://www.toiletology.com/index.shtml.Check for leaky faucets, showers and hoses.
Worn plumbing fixtures waste a great deal of water and can be costly to the consumer.
Check faucets and hose connections (i.e., at your washing machine) frequently.
The table below illustrates the potential water loss from leaky faucets:
Even a Small Leak Costs You Money
Slow Leak
Steady Drip
Slow Stream
Steady Stream
450 gallons per month
750 gallons per month
3,000 gallons per month
12,000 gallons per month
Adds up to $3.68 to your monthly
bill
Adds up to $6.13 to your monthly
bill
Adds up to $24.51 to your monthly
bill
Adds up to $98.04 to your monthly
bill
Check for Underground Leaks An underground water leak due to a broken pipe or faulty coupling can be very
costly because the water loss is not always easy to spot. Careful attention
to the signs of a water leak can help minimize costly water leaks. The table
below illustrates the potential water loss from broken underground pipes:
A Leak This Size
...Wastes This Much Water...
...And Adds This Much to Your Bill.
1/32"
3,600 Gals./Month
$20.34
1/16"
10,800 Gals./Month
$61.02
1/8"
36,000 Gals./Month
$203.40
3/16"
199,000 Gals./Month
$1,124.35
1/4"
340,000 Gals./Month
$1,921.00
*Customers may be eligible for a partial adjustment
of charges. Contact a Customer Service Representative for policy
details.
Click on the screen to see helpful tips on detecting leaks.
The following tips may help you to identify underground
leaks as quickly as possible:
Be aware of your normal consumption patterns. The
most common symptom of an underground water leak is consistent/worsening
high consumption. One of the best ways to catch a leak quickly is
to pay attention to your bill and investigate unusually high consumption.
Search for unusual soggy spots in the general vicinity
of your water line. Unusual wet spots not caused by precipitation
or watering is often a sign of an underground water leak. Check
the area carefully. Often the effects of an underground leak may
surface several yards away from the actual leak.
Call the Service Authority When the above measures fail to identify the cause of unusually high consumption,
customers should report the problem to the Service Authority. A Service Aide
can be dispatched to see if water is still flowing through the meter when all
faucets are closed. If water continues to pass through the meter, you may have
a leak.
Never open your own meter crock. Opening the meter
crock can damage the touch-read meter reading equipment. Improperly
closed lids can also create a hazard. Always let Service Authority
personnel open the meter crock.
Close your master valve. If water passes through
your meter when the master valve is closed and functioning properly,
you probably have an underground leak between the meter and your
master valve. If you are unable to locate and repair the leak yourself,
you may want to consult a plumber.
Check for other inside leaks. If water does not
pass through your meter when the master valve is closed,
but resumes when only the master valve is open and all faucets
are closed,
you probably have an undiscovered inside leak. If you
are unable to locate and repair the leak yourself, you may want
to consult
a plumber.
(This site contains links to web sites owned by third parties. These links are provided solely as a convenience to you and are not an endorsement by PWCSA of the contents on those other sites. PWCSA is not responsible for the content of any linked sites and makes no representations regarding the content or accuracy of materials on such sites. If you decide to visit any third-party sites using links from this site, you do so at your own risk.)
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