Water Leaks

Leaks

The City of Middletown Finance Office Reminds You - Fix Leaks to Lower Costs. Leaks = water and your money trickling away!

In an average residence, 22 gallons of water are lost to leakage each day, and the most common culprits are leaking toilets or dripping faucets.

It is not uncommon to find toilets leaking much more water than the average 22 gallons. Silent toilet leaks can account for up to 200 gallons a day of lost water without anybody noticing the leakage. A dye tablet or 10 drops of food coloring can be used to check a toilet for leaks. Place the tablet or food coloring into the toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl after waiting at least 30 minutes, a leak is present.

• Even a pinhole leak such as in a washing machine hose, can waste up to 170 gallons a day.
• A running faucet uses about a gallon of water per minute.
• If a faucet drips one drop per second, you waste 2,700 gallons a year.
• It is suggested that 100 gallons per person per day is the average usage.

Multiply family members by 120 days in a billing period to find where your usage should be. (2 x 100 x 120 = 24,000 gallons)

Easy Steps to Determine if there is a Leak:

• Turn off all water inside and outside the house.
• Listen and look for running water and drips.
• Locate your water meter on the main water line inside the home.
• See your past and present usage, set alerts, and see billing cycle data by clicking the "monitor water usage" tab above.
• Record the gallon on the meter before bed and again in the morning. If the number has changed, water has flowed through the meter.
• It is a good idea to read your meter monthly to keep track of your usage and spot increases as soon as possible.