Identifying and repairing leaks

Leaks should be identified and repaired to avoid wasting water

Dripping taps

A few drips per minute may not seem like much, but once you multiply this figure by the number of hours in a day followed by the number of days in a year, it’s easy to realise just how precious those few drips really are!

The volume of water lost by a dripping tap will vary depending on the severity of the leak, however it has the potential to waste up to 12,000 litres of quality drinking water per year. That’s the entire amount available each year to many people around the world. Interested to find out how much water your dripping tap is wasting? Check our Drip Calculator.

Dripping taps occur mainly when fixtures are continuously turned off too tightly and, over time, the pressure on the washer causes it to deteriorate. Replacing a tap washer is quite simple, however if you have a hot water system in your ceiling it is recommended you contact a licensed plumber.

Check your water meter

You can check if you have a leak by recording your meter reading before you go to sleep and comparing it to the reading first thing in the morning.

Leaking toilets

A continuously running toilet can waste up to 96,000 litres of water per year, yet toilet leaks often go unnoticed as the water trickles down the back of the bowl.

Follow these simple steps to check if your toilet has a leak:

  1. Remove the lid of your toilet cistern.
  2. Place a few drops of food dye into the cistern.
  3. Do not flush your toilet for 10-15 minutes.
  4. If the dye has seeped down into the bowl when you return, then you know you have a leak.

Toilet leaks are often a result of the rubber valve in the cistern deteriorating. You can contact a licensed plumber to fix this for you. It is important to check your toilet for leaks every few months so you can be sure it is not wasting any water

Related videos
Checking for leaks
How to change a tap washer
How to check if your toilet leaks
Categories
Related posts

Wipes Block Pipes

Did you know? Despite being marketed as flushable*, biodegradable or compostable, wipes should not be flushed down toilets. While people may believe they are disposing of wipes properly, all wipes

Interactive Water Map

Be one of the first to view our new interactive water map. Click around and get a tour inside some of our water and wastewater facilities to learn more about

Booking Enquiry Form

Please complete the form below and our education team will touch base soon to discuss your enquiry.