Leak Detection

First, it is important to determine if the leak may be inside or outside of the home.

To determine if the leak is outside the home:
Turn off the main water valve to your home. This is the valve that shuts off all water to the inside of your house - NOT your water meter.

Locate your water meter and check the RED dial. If the dial is spinning and the water inside your home has been shut off at the valve, your leak is in the service line (between the water meter and shut-off valve).

If the RED dial is not spinning, turn the main shut-off valve to your house back on and check your meter again.

If the RED dial is now spinning, the leak is inside the home.

If the dial is still not spinning, you may have an intermittent leak:
An intermittent leak often comes from a toilet, water softener, hot water tank or other appliances that don’t leak constantly but do recycle water intermittently.

You may have to watch the meter for several minutes to see if this is the type of leak you have. If you tried both tasks mentioned above and the meter is not spinning, it is unlikely you have a leak; the meter is likely reading actual water consumption.

If you believe your consumption is due to a malfunctioning meter or other factors beyond your control, please contact us. We will re-read your meter to test its functionality. PLEASE NOTE if the meter is functioning properly, you will be billed $80 for this service (no charge if found to be misreading).

Keep in mind during the Spring & Summer months water consumption normally increases due to several factors: washing a car(s), filling a pool, watering the yard/garden/plants, etc.

Is your bill unusually large? We can now track usage per hour to help determine when water might be used that you are not aware of. This service can take some time to complete and is not intended for general water usage information. Contact our office for more information.

Water Conservation: Department of Health - Office of Drinking Water

Indoor Tips - opens as a PDF

Outdoor Tips - opens as a PDF

Drinking Water Advice – Information from the Washington Department of Health about possible causes and corrections for stains in bathtubs and what to do for irregular tastes in your water. 

Water Conservation at Home - kid friendly conversation starters about reducing water use and saving water at home