How do I find and fix leaks?

Follow these tips to find leaks inside or outside your home:

  • Check Your Irrigation System 
    • Shut off the valve that serves your sprinkler system. Check the flow indicator at the water meter. If the flow indicator stopped moving, the sprinkler system is the problem.
  • Check Your Main Service Line 
    • First, you need to find your water shutoff valve. This is usually located at the spigot where the water enters the home. Shut off the valve, cutting off all water to your home, and go in the house and turn on a faucet to make sure the water is off. Check the flow indicator at the meter. If the flow indicator is moving, the leak is between the shutoff valve and the water meter
  • Check Your Pool 
    • First turn off the automatic fill valve and place a bucket on a step where the bucket rim is at least a few inches above the water line
    • Then place a heavy weight in the bucket and add water until the water level inside the bucket is equal with the water level in the pool. Leave the bucket and pool undisturbed for several hot days, and then compare the water level in the bucket to the water level in the pool. If the water level in the bucket is noticeably higher than the water level in the pool, you may be losing water to a leak. If this is the case, contact a pool leak detection specialist for further assistance.
  • Check Your Toilets 
    • Locating a leak is a process of elimination. Shut off one toilet at a time at the wall. In between each shutoff, go out to the water meter and check your flow indicator. If the flow indicator stopped moving, that means the toilet is the culprit. If the flow indicator is moving, that toilet is not the problem. Something else is causing the water flow.
  • Check Your Water Softener 
    • Most softeners have a bypass lever. Turn the lever to allow water to bypass the softener. Check the flow indicator at the meter. If the flow indicator is no longer moving, you have isolated the leak to your softener. (You also can check for leaking water-cooled air conditioners, ice machines and reverse osmosis units by turning the bypass lever on each and checking the meter.)
  • Locate Your Water Meter 
    • Most residential water meters are located in the front of the home near the street. The first step is to check your water meter for movement. Look at the top of the meter. You'll notice a triangle or small dial called a flow indicator. The black triangle or red dial (low flow indicator) will move whenever water is passing through it. If your meter doesn't have a low flow indicator, you can use the sweep hand on the register to indicate water loss. If either the low flow indicator or the sweep hand is moving, you may have a leak or malfunction.
  • Turn Off the Water 
    • Before you look for leaks, make sure no water is being used inside or outside of your home.

Show All Answers

1. How can I conserve water?
2. What can I do to ensure my pool is as efficient as possible?
3. Is the City itself complying with the water restrictions of Ordinance Number 1477?
4. Does the City currently have active water cops?
5. If I get reported for not complying with the regulations such as over-watering or watering at the wrong time of day, will I get issued a fine?
6. Do the regulations apply to golf courses?
7. How are we notifying/educating water customers about the restrictions and what they can do to save water?
8. How do I find and fix leaks?