Household leaks
Leaks should be identified and repaired to avoid wasting water.
Checking for leaks
Reading your water meter is an easy way to check for leaks on your property.
1 Turn off everything in your house that uses water
2 Look at your water meter and note down the numbers on the red dials, taking a photo of the meter dials is the best method
3 Wait for at least 1 hour (with all taps etc still off)
4 Recheck your water meter. Any movement on the red dials indicates you have a leak.
If you are concerned or have identified a leak, you should contact a licensed plumber to fix it as soon as possible. Certain types of undetected leaks may be eligible for financial assistance.
Little leaks add up
A few drips per minute may not seem like much, but once you multiply this figure by the number of hours in a day followed by the number of days in a year, it's easy to realise just how precious those few drips really are.
The volume of water lost by a dripping tap will vary depending on the severity of the leak, however it has the potential to waste up to 12,000 litres of quality drinking water per year. That's the entire amount available each year to many people around the world.
Dripping taps occur mainly when fixtures are continuously turned off too tightly and, over time, the pressure on the washer causes it to deteriorate. Replacing a tap washer is quite simple, however if you have a hot water system in your ceiling it is recommended you contact a licensed plumber.
A continuously running toilet can waste up to 96,000 litres of water per year, yet toilet leaks often go unnoticed as the water trickles down the back of the bowl.
Follow these simple steps to check if your toilet has a leak:
- Remove the lid of your toilet cistern
- Place a few drops of food dye into the cistern
- Do not flush your toilet for 10-15 minutes
- If the dye has seeped down into the bowl when you return, then you know you have a leak
Toilet leaks are often a result of the rubber valve in the cistern deteriorating. You can contact a licensed plumber to fix this for you. It is important to check your toilet for leaks every few months so you can be sure it is not wasting any water.