Even small leaks waste a lot of water and a lot of money. So, it’s important to find and fix them as quickly as possible!
We understand that when you get your bill, it can be hard to relate it back to how much water you’ve been using. Our system alerts you when we detect unusually high-water usage, which could indicate that you have a leak. We strongly advise that if you think you have a leak, then you should investigate.
We might look like a wet planet, but only about 1% of Earth's water is available for us to use. If we keep using water at the current speed, we could run out someday. By the year 2050, England could face a shortage of nearly 5 billion litres of water each day. That's why it's really important to save every little bit we can.
Check for obvious leaks:
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Leaky loos
Continuously running cisterns frequently cause bills to increase, but often go unnoticed. Can you hear water running into the toilet bowl non-stop? Not sure? Place some food colouring in the cistern and leave the toilet for a few minutes without being flushed. If the colour has reached the toilet bowl, then the cistern is leaking, and a plumber can put this right. Alternatively, place some dry toilet paper on the back of the bowl and check whether it gets wet between flushes.
Dripping taps
These leaks can waste more than 26 bathtubs of water a year , so make sure taps are properly turned off, and change washers at the first sign of a drip.
Leaky appliances
Keep an eye out for any small pools of water or noticeable dribbles behind those appliances and around the pipes that use water, often any dishwashers or washing machines.
Water meter test for leaks
1. Open the meter chamber
Remove the polystyrene cap on top of the meter and any collected rainwater (a sponge usually does the trick).
2. Check you have the correct meter
Turn off the external stop tap and tune on a tap inside your property. If no water comes out, you have the correct meter.
3. Turn water on
Make a note of the meter reading
4. Check for a leak
Don't use the water for 30 minutes and then check the meter again. If the meter has changed, you have a leak!
5. Identify where the leak is
Turn the water off at your internal stop tap. Wait 30 minutes and take another reading. If it has changed, you have a leak outside. If there is no change, it's inside.
6. If there is no change in your meter throughout
You probably don't have a leak and are just using more water than you were before
Finding your meters and stop taps
Usually outside the front of your building, under the pavement, inside a chamber covered by a metal/ plastic lid on the surface. If you’re unsure, you can check your meter location on our customer portal or get in contact with our customer service team.
Internal stop tapFound indoors, often under the kitchen sink, under the stairs or in the toilets. If not, it will be wherever water pipes enter your property. If it’s stuck, don’t force it - call a plumber for help.
External stop tapOutdoors, like your meter, in the ground under a cover. There are a few types of external taps. They can usually be turned off by turning the tap head clockwise. But occasionally you may find a lever that just needs to be pulled upwards.
Continuous flows
Smart meters are able to identify water that is flowing continuously through your property 24 hours a day. This could mean you have a leak, or that you have genuine usage operating all hours of the day, for example:
- Farming, livestock, or agriculture
- Machinery requiring 24-hour operation
- Urinals or automatic flushing
It is important to note that even if you do require the continuous use of water, you should continue to check for leaks, as they can add up and cause damage very quickly if not repaired! Leaks within your property are your responsibility, so best to repair as soon as you can.
What to do if you have a leak
Once identified, leaks should be repaired as quickly as possible.
Leaks within your property boundary are your responsibility, so you’ll need to call a plumber to get it fixed as soon as you can. For more information, click here.
Wholesalers sometimes provide leak allowances (credit on your bill) once you have repaired a leak, and we can help you to claim.
Automated water monitoring (loggers)
We also offer quick and easy water loggers that clip onto your current meters and send off hassle free reads, as regularly as you like.
This keeps your bills as accurate as possible, quickly identifying high usage through customised thresholds and automated alerts, as well as discovering leaks months earlier than with standard meters.
Protect your business from the winter weather
In cold weather, the risk of bursting water pipes increases dramatically. That's because plummeting temperatures can cause freezing in your pipework. Why not get ahead of things and take these easy steps to avoid burst water pipes?
Contact us
Interested in how you can make even more water savings? Get in contact with our environmental services team today!