Leaks
Did you know that we lose 1 trillion gallons of water every year through leaks? That costs YOU money and wastes a precious natural resource! Let’s track down and fix those leaks!
- A place to start is to examine your utility bill for January or February (or other months when you are not irrigating). In our area, it’s possible that a family of four has a serious leak problem if its winter water use exceeds 5,000 gallons per month. You can also look for spikes - is your water use a lot higher this month than it was last month? Learn more about how to read your water bill here.
- Find your water meter, which is located in a concrete box and usually found at the property line either in front of or behind the residence. Use a screwdriver to remove the lid on your meter, which is heavy and usually marked “Water.” Now that you’ve found the meter, take a reading during a period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same after two hours, you probably have a leak. Most meters in our system have leak indicators. Depending on the brand of your meter, the leak indicator could be a small triangular shaped dial or a small red dial that rotates when water is flowing through the meter. If the dial is moving, chances are you have a leak. Find more information about how to read your meter and identify the leak indicator here, or call us at 541-774-2430 if you are having trouble finding it.
- In just 10 minutes, you can search your home for leaks and crack down on water waste. Many common household leaks, such as worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and leaking showerheads, are quick to find and easy to fix. Use the WaterSense Checklist for Chasing Down Leaks.
For instance, have you taken the toilet test? Put a few drops of food coloring into the tank at the back of your toilet and let it sit for 10 minutes. If color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak. Make sure to flush afterward to avoid staining, and consider replacing your old toilet flapper if it is torn or worn.
- When it’s time to start up your sprinkler system, check for broken sprinklers or nozzles spraying in the wrong direction. Check the zones and run times. You may want to consult an irrigation professional or contact our Conservation Team for a sprinkler check-up.
- Pool leaks can be particularly challenging; however, there are some simple tests that may help you detect water loss.
You may wish to consult a professional to help find your leak(s). We recommend contacting several and requesting a bid for their services. Here are some resources listed in no particular order:
| Accurate Plumbing |
Hukill’s, Inc. |
American Leak
Detection |
Spartan Plumbing |
| 541-773-3035 |
541-734-9000 |
541-772-5325 |
541-500-1787 |
Check here for more tips on identifying and fixing leaks.
We are proud to work with WaterSense partners across the country to raise awareness about saving water. Check out our rebate programs on WaterSense-certified toilets and smart controllers, and look for the WaterSense logo when shopping for other plumbing products too (click here to search products and efficiency information). Even without rebates, installing them just makes sense as they help make it easy to save water every day!
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