For many properties, the first suspicion of a leak occurs when high water consumption is noticed on the water bill. Always check your water bill for abnormal consumption. Maintaining irrigation, pool and other external systems and regularly testing them is also important.
Checking for a Leak
The best way to check for overall leaks is to use your water meter. Follow these simple steps to determine if you have a leak:
Shut off all your water-using appliances and fixtures on the property. These include all water taps inside and outside the house, showers, sinks, washing machines, and any appliances that use water, e.g. fridge.
Remove the lid from your water meter box. It is usually concrete, metal or plastic - about 10 x 15 inches. Take care not to damage the wires! If you are unable to remove the lid, find your meter box, or if there appears to be a leak in your meter box contact the Finance department at 250-544-4206.
The water meter will either have a digital display, or mechanical display. For the digital meters, there is + sign icon that appears below the digits when water is being used. This is called a low flow indicator. A low flow indicator can be used to see if your home has a leak. For the mechanical meters, it will either have a black triangle above the numerical readout or a red dial below the numerical readout. If the black triangle or red dial is moving even slightly, then you have a leak. Even a small leak in a service line can add up to a significant amount of water loss.It may be prudent to read your meter when you are checking for a leak to know how much water has gone through the meter since your last billing.
If you have a leak, you will need to play detective to find the source. The most likely culprits are toilets, faucets, showerheads, service lines and sprinkler systems. If you are unable to determine the source of the leak, you may need to contact a plumber.
If your leak is in the main underground line between the meter and the residence, the District has a Leak Adjustment Policy that may apply. Proof of repair is required and you must claim within 120 days of the date on your utility bill.
Leaking Toilets
High volume water leaks often come from toilets. They are hard to detect and are usually caused by worn or misaligned parts. A toilet that continues to run after flushing could be wasting 20-40 litres per hour - that's 175,000 to 350,000 litres (175 to 350 cubic metres) per year, enough water to fill a swimming pool. Leaks can cost you up to several hundred dollars per year!
- Carefully remove the toilet tank lid. Place a dye tablet or some food colouring in the tank. To get a dye tablet, call CRD Water Services at 250.474.9600 Option 1.
- After 15 minutes, check the water in your toilet bowl. If the water is coloured, you've got a leak. Toilet repairs may require the assistance of a plumber.
Leaking Pipes
A leaking service line or pipe in your home can add up to a significant amount of water waste. A small hole in a pipe (1.5mm) has known to waste a substantial amount of water in a two-month period. Continual leaking from this size hole could cost you from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on the diameter of the pipe. Which is why we encourage customers to locate and repair the water leak immediately.
Irrigation System Leaks
Whether you use an in-ground sprinkler system or a single oscillating head, check it carefully for leaks. The average garden hose delivers 27 litres of water a minute, so a split in the hose or a poor coupling could be wasting large amounts of water. Make sure the outdoor faucet is turned off after each use, even small drips add up to big waste.
A leak in your in-ground sprinkler system is less noticeable than one in a hose. If you think your in-ground sprinkler system may have a leak, check for wet patches in your lawn that do not dry. Contact your irrigation contractor for a system check-up.
Note: Shutting off a sprinkler system is not considered an acceptable solution. The leak should be repaired.
