Checking for leaks

You have probably already watched our video on how to check for leaks, but here is a step-by-step guide to help you identify if you have a leak on your property. 

Your meter dial will look something like this; it will have black numbers and red numbers. In this experiment you will be looking at the red numbers as this will determine if you have a leak and how bad the leak is.

Step 1 

Find the water meter and record the reading. A simple way to do this is to use your phone camera (if you have one) and take a photo.

Make sure not to use any water afterwards for at least 5 hours. This includes kitchen, bathroom and laundry taps, washing machines and dishwashers, showers, toilets and any outside taps or sprinkler systems. You will not get an accurate result if water is used during the experiment. You might consider doing this experiment while you are out for the day.

Step 2  

After 5 hours, read the meter again making sure no water has been used during the test period.

Step 3

Compare the two sets of numbers. If they are the same there are no leaks. If they are different, subtract the first reading from the second and the difference will tell you how bad the leak is if water cannot be accounted for.

A dripping tap or an unexpected leak on the property can amount to thousands of litres of water, not only wasting water but adding unnecessary cost to your water bill.

The following is an approximate guide on how much water is potentially wasted through dripping taps and leaks:

• Slow dripping tap can waste up to 30 litres per day - which is around 2,700 litres (2.7kL) of water every 3 months.
• Fast dripping tap or leaky toilet cistern can waste up to 316 litres per day - that's around 28,000 litres (28kL) every 3 months.
• Flow (small leak e.g. pin hole leak) can waste up to 2,800 litres per day - this is around 252,000 litres (252kL) of water every 3 months.
• Full flow (equivalent to a tap turned on full) can waste up to 20 litres per minute which is around 28,000 litres (28kL) per day! This could end up being around 2,592,000 litres (2,592kL) of unexpected dollars charged to a water bill!!

If a substantial amount of water has gone through the meter because of an undetected leak, and it has been repaired by a licensed plumber, the property owner may be eligible for rebate.

Find out more about our Undetected Water Leak Rebate program. 

We recommend that when you are going away on holidays, or not regularly at your property, turn the water meter off before you leave to prevent unintended water going through your meter.

If your water meter tap is hard to turn off, contact us through our online form and we will come and fix the problem. 

Some hot water systems, including solar panels, air conditioning units, reverse cycle systems and pool solar heating have pressure relief valves and overflow outlets which release water.

Try to divert this water away from the house to avoid damage; consider re-using this water on gardens or lawns to keep them healthy.