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Checking for leaks
Did you know that just one dripping tap can waste more than 2,000 litres a month?
When you consider this, it's easy to see why regularly checking for leaks and repairing them makes such good sense. And the great news is it's easy to check for leaks using your water meter.
How do I check for leaks using my water meter?
Before you go to bed, check your water meter reading and write it down somewhere safe. You'll also need to make sure no-one in your household uses any water during the night. The following morning, before anyone starts using water, go and check your meter again.
Write this new figure down next to the figure from the night before and compare them. If the morning figure is higher, you have a water leak that needs to be traced and fixed.
Where is my water meter?
Your water meter is usually just inside the front boundary of your property. You'll recognise it as a low metal pipe structure with a tap handle at one end and a meter dial in the middle. Remember to keep your meter clear of leaves and garden debris, as we need to have easy access to it.
How can I tell if my toilet's leaking?
An easy way to check if your toilet is slowly leaking is to add a few drops of food colouring to your toilet cistern. Don't flush the toilet for at least one hour. If colouring shows up in the toilet bowl after an hour, you've got a leak.
We recommend that you get a licensed plumber to fix any leaks. Plumbers know which seals and washers are right for different toilets.
However if you are a handyman, take the parts of the toilet that need to be replaced to your local hardware store or plumbing retail outlet. The staff there will help you choose the correct replacement parts. Remember to repeat the food colouring test to make sure you have fixed the leak.