Read Your Water Meter and Identify Leaks
Common Indoor Leaks
Toilet leaks are the number one cause of high water bills. The leak may be caused by a failing flapper, plunger ball, float ball or fill valve.
- Remove the tank lid. Carefully remove the tank lid and lay it flat on the floor to prevent it from falling over and breaking. Condensation on the underside of the tank lid may drip as you are removing the lid.
- Check the water level in the tank. If the water level is above the manufacturers indicated water line, make adjustments to correct the water level. If adjustments were made, reset the toilet by flushing it and allowing the tank to refill and stop on its own.
- Drop a dye tablet (available for free at City Hall) or several drops of food dye into the tank. Do NOT flush. Wait 15 minutes. If you have more than one toilet to test, repeat Steps 1 through 3 for each toilet while you wait.
- Check the water in the bowl for color. If the color appears in the bowl, there is a leak. (After checking, be sure to flush to avoid staining the tank.)
Replacing the toilet’s flapper valve will likely stop the leak. To ensure proper flush performance, be sure the replacement flapper meets the toilet manufacturers specifications for your toilet model. Tip: Bring the old flapper to the hardware store for comparison to make sure you buy a new flapper that fits your toilet model.
To better determine the cause of the leak, turn off the toilet’s water supply (usually it has a diamond-shaped handle near the wall at the base of the toilet) and mark the water level inside the tank. Wait 15 minutes and then check the water level. If it has dropped below your mark, the problem is at the bottom of the toilet tank at the flapper or plunger ball. If the water level has stayed the same, the problem is an overflow near the top of the tank involving the float ball or fill valve.
Please note: If you are not comfortable or familiar with this appliance, we recommend contacting a professional.
Most people visit their water heaters only if the hot water stops - Check yours periodically.
If you notice a puddle of water around the bottom of the tank, it probably indicates a leak caused by corrosion (a sign of old age). If the tank wall is corroding, more problems are coming and it is time to retire the tank for a new energy-saving model.
Water heaters last about 15 years with proper care. To help your water heater performance:
- Clear out any sediment by flushing a few quarts of water from the drain valve at the bottom of the tank into a bucket about every six months.
- Operate the pressure-relief valve at the top of the tank. Do not worry if a little water leaks out - that means it is working. (It is recommended to follow your specific water tank manual for pressure-relief value operation.)
- Close and reopen the cold-water inlet valve at the top, so you are sure it is easy to operate in an emergency.
Please note: If you are not comfortable or familiar with this appliance, we recommend contacting a professional.
An annoying, dripping sound is often the first sign of a leak. Faucets, showerheads and bathtubs may also have leaks hidden from view. Old and worn faucet washers and gaskets frequently cause leaks in faucets. Fix your leaky showerhead by:
- Making sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem
- Using pipe tape to secure the showerhead.
Check out the Do-It-Yourself Toolkit from the Library for free materials to help fix your leak.
Please note: If you are not comfortable or familiar with these devices, we recommend contacting a professional.
Common Outdoor Leaks
Check for overly green or soggy spots, where broken spray heads, bubblers, and underground pipe cracks will be obvious. Also check the valve boxes for standing water inside the box. Buried pipes, hoses, or drip lines leaking into sandy, porous soil may not show up as clearly. Automatic sprinkler and drip systems that generate a hissing sound are also likely leaking.
Remember to check drip systems for damage from foot traffic, gnawing pets and pests, or missing emitters. Leaky hoses can be repaired with waterproof tape. Dribbling spray nozzle connection? Wrap the hose threads with Teflon tape.
Check out the Do-It-Yourself Toolkit from the Library for free materials to help fix your leak. If you need help, hire a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper, who has been trained in efficient irrigation principles and sustainable landscaping practices.
If your pool is equipped with an automatic fill valve, make sure it is fully turned off before testing for leaks.
- Place a bucket on a pool step.
- Fill the bucket with pool water to about 3 to 4 inches from the top, matching the water level in the bucket with the level of the pool.
- Carefully mark the water levels on both the inside and outside of the bucket.
- Wait 24 hours.
- If the pool water has dropped faster than the bucket’s contents, you may have a leak.
- Contact a pool professional for help.
Read Your Water Meter
All Healdsburg customers have a meter that measures their water use. Meters are usually in the ground by the street under a cement, steel, or concrete cover marked "WATER".
- You will need a tool in order to access the meter, a large screwdriver or a pair of pliers will suffice.
- When removing the cover, visually examine the area around the meter to make sure there are no harmful insects or other animals.
- Set the cover to the side, then flip open the hinged lid of the meter.
IMPORTANT:
- If you notice any breaks or large cracks in the meter lid or the meter, please contact the Utility Hotline at (707) 431-7000.
- Do not operate the City valve inside the meter box. Contact the Utility Hotline at (707) 431-7000 if you need assistance.
Water bills reflect how much water was used since the last meter reading. Meters measure cubic feet of water used (1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons). Healdsburg bills in units of 100 cubic feet, which is equivalent to 748 gallons.
How to Read a Straight-Reading Meter
Read the numbers shown on the dials of your meter. The meter below reads 123456.78, which is the total number of cubic feet of water recorded since the meter was installed. Because our charge is based on units of 100 cubic feet, the meter reader does not use the last four numbers for billing and records a reading of 1234 units.
There are variations in Healdsburg's meters, so be sure you check which way each dial is turning when you make a reading.
IMPORTANT:
- If you notice any breaks or large cracks in the meter lid or the meter, please contact the Utility Hotline at (707) 431-7000.
- Do not operate the City valve inside the meter box. Contact the Utility Hotline at (707) 431-7000 if you need assistance.
- Make sure to turn off all water use inside and outside the home, including ice makers.
- Mark the needle(s) by laying a straight pin or toothpick exactly on top. Take note of the current readings on your water meter.
- Use the large needle to test.
- Note: The large hand is used only for testing purposes and leak detection. Newer meters also have a small gear in the shape of a triangle or star (usually red or blue). This gear will spin when water is being used. If the gear is spinning while all water has been turned off, this indicates a leak.
- Do not use any water for 30 minutes.
- If the test needles moved, you probably have a leak.
- Certain leaks may occur intermittently, like a running toilet or broken sprinkler head, and do not register continuously at the meter. Check all plumbing fixtures to identify those in need of repair including faucets, toilets, water heaters, and irrigation systems.
IMPORTANT:
- If you notice any breaks or large cracks in the meter lid or the meter, please contact the Utility Hotline at (707) 431-7000.
- Do not operate the City valve inside the meter box. Contact the Utility Hotline at (707) 431-7000 if you need assistance.
Determine if the leak is inside or outside by locating the main shut-off valve (usually at the front of the house under an outside faucet).
- If the dial moves while the main house valve is off, you likely have an underground leak between your meter and your home.
- Look for overly green or wet spots between the meter and house valve, and look for surface water or wet spot(s) elsewhere that may indicate an irrigation system leak.
IMPORTANT:
- If you notice any breaks or large cracks in the meter lid or the meter, please contact the Utility Hotline at (707) 431-7000.
- Do not operate the City valve inside the meter box. Contact the Utility Hotline at (707) 431-7000 if you need assistance.
High Bills
The average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, resulting in high water usage and high water costs. The City offers a water leak adjustment for residents that fix their leaks. Visit the FAQs on how to get a credit issued for a fixed leak.
Questions
If you have questions about your meter or water service, please call 707-431-3307 or email conservation@healdsburg.gov.