Do I have a leak?
A broken water main is a spectacular example of water loss, however, it is a loss that the ACSA absorbs. The small, sometimes barely noticeable, leaks in your internal plumbing are costing you money, as well as wasting an important resource, and even a dripping faucet can “use” thousands of gallons a year. To see what different size leaks waste, or to calculate how much water an internal leak you may now have, is pouring down the drain, try this Drip Calculator provided by the American Water Works Association.
If you have just filled your pool, started watering your garden, installed a dishwasher, or increased the number of people in your home or business, you can expect a jump in your water usage. But a one-time activity (such as filling your pool) should not make your bill stay higher; and gradually increasing billed volume should alert you to the possibility of a leak in your system. When our meter readers notice a large jump in consumption from the previous month, they leave a “leak letter” suggesting that you investigate.
A 10-25% variation in water use is not unusual. If your volume (indicated by the graph on your bill) increases by 25% or more, or continues to creep up, and you have no rational explanation, you should try the following:
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- Read the water meter, noting the position of the clock-style hand that records individual gallons.
- Wait at least 15 minutes without using water.
- Look at the meter again to see if the hand moved. If it did not, there are probably no leaks. Slow and intermittent leaks can be detected by waiting longer between readings.
- If the meter hand did move, check all faucets for visible leaks.
- Check the toilets for leaks by adding food coloring to the water in the tank. Do not flush. Wait 15 minutes to see if the colored water appears in the toilet bowl. If it does, there is a leak.
- If there appear to be no leaks inside your home, check outdoors for underground leaks. Turn off your main valve to the house. Open an indoor faucet to verify that the valve is working. The water flow should stop completely. Check the meter to see if it continues to run. If it does, there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing between the main valve and the meter.
- Repeat the meter reading procedure after making all repairs, to ensure that there are no more leaks.
How do I turn off my water?
Knowing how and where to shut off your home’s main water supply is very important. Whether there’s a water emergency, a leak in your home, or you just want to solve a simple plumbing 
problem, you may need to completely turn off your home’s water supply.
Find the spot where water enters the home, and you will find the shutoff valve nearby. Turn the valve clockwise (to the right). Keep in mind that even though you’ve now shut the main-line supply, there’s still water in the water pipes within your home, so it’s important to drain all the faucets until the water stops running. Be sure to instruct all capable members of the household about water shutoff procedures.