Ideas to help you save…
It’s Only a Small Drip...Right?
Slow drips of water can add up quickly. A toilet that “keeps running” after you flush or a sink that
drips after it is turned off can waste thousands of gallons of water a year. If the drip is hot water,
you are paying for wasted energy too. Fix leaks as soon as you find them. They won’t go away on
their own.
- Test toilets for leaks. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank, but don't
flush. If coloring appears in the bowl within a few minutes, your toilet is leaking. If so, all it
usually needs is a new toilet flapper, an easy and inexpensive repair job. San Antonio's
hard water along with toilet cleaners, corrode soft rubber flappers, so they usually need to
be replaced annually.
- Jiggle the handle. It might be the chain. You may need to adjust it.
- Adjust the "adjustment screw" on the float to stop water from going into the overflow tube.
- Check all waterline connections and faucets regularly.
- Do you know where your master shutoff valve is located? It'll save time and money if
pipes burst.
- To check for underground leaks, turn off all indoor and outdoor faucets, then look at the
meter. If the small dial is turning, you've got a leak.
- Call a plumber immediately if the problem persists.
Use Your Water Meter to Detect Leaks
Leaks are a common cause of higher-than-expected water bills. Your water meter may be your
most useful tool in identifying water leaks on your property.
To check for leaks
1.Locate your water meter. Water meters are usually located in your basement at
the front or side of the house. If you are unable to check your water meter
yourself, call us at (860) 826-3540 for assistance.
2.Locate the shut-off valve for your building. The shut-off valve is indoors; some
buildings may have more than one shut-off valve. If you don’t have a shut-off
valve, we advise that you arrange for a plumber to install one.
3.Turn off all water faucets and appliances that use water. Check the position of
the "1 cubic foot" dial on your water meter and record your reading.
4.After 30 minutes, record another meter reading.
Compare your readings
Your 2 readings should be the same because no water should have been used.
- If the dial has moved, you have a leak.
For approximately $10 to $20, the average homeowner can install two low-flow shower heads,
place dams or bottles in the toilet tanks, install low-flow aerators on the faucets, and repair
dripping faucets and leaking toilets. This could save 10,000 to more than 25,000 gallons per year
for a family of four, and would pay for itself in less than a year! Even more could be saved if good
outdoor water conservation is practiced for the lawn and garden.
Ideas to help you save…IT AFFECTS EVERYONE!
Leaks and Their Effects
Faucet leaks are easy to detect. If it drips or worse, continues to keep running after you
shut it off, it needs to be fixed. If the dripping water is hot, it is costing you money to heat
the water. Water is dripping from the shower head when the shower is shut off or running
out of the spout when the shower is on is usually caused by bad washers or seats which
need replacing. Fix leaking fixtures as soon as possible. A leaking faucet or toilet can
dribble away thousands of gallons of water a year.
|
Size of Leak |
Water Wasted |
|
 |
1/32" drip |
18,500 gal. every 3 months |
|
 |
1/16" trickle |
74,000 gal. every 3 months |
|
 |
1/8" stream |
296,000 gal. every 3 months |
|
 |
1/4" stream |
1,181,000 gal. every 3 months |