Leak Detection

Even the smallest leak in your water system can cause the loss of thousands of gallons of water each month. That loss means not only is water being wasted, but also that you will probably receive an unnecessarily higher water bill.

The faster you can identify the source of a leak, the faster it can be fixed. If you suspect you might have a leak, a few easy to follow indicators can help you find it. We are all responsible for helping to save and conserve water, and we want to help you save water and money.

Quick Test: Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.

• Regularly check your toilet, faucets, and pipes for leaks. If you find a leak, have it fixed as soon as possible.  You can test toilets by putting food coloring in your toilet tank.  If color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak. 

• A slow dripping sink can add up to a loss of 15 gallons per day / 450 gallons per month.  A 1/16^th inch leak in a water line for example can result in a loss of 950 gallons per day / 28,300 gallons per month of water loss.  Leaks are the single most contributing factor in increased water bills.  As sharp increase in your bill from month to month could also indicate a leak.   

• If you suspect a leak from your meter to your house please call your certified plumbing professional.  If you suspect a leak prior to your meter or from a water main please call the Harrodsburg Water and Sewer Maintenance Department at 859-734-3042 or 859-734-4971. 

Common water Loss examples:

Leaking Toilet @1/2 GPM = 21,600 Gal/mo
Drip Irrigation @1 GPM = 43,200 Gal/mo
Watering Garden for 2 hours @ 5 GPM = 18,000 Gal/mo
Watering Garden for 2 hours @ 10 GPM = 36,000 Gal/mo
Unattended Water Hose 1 night @10 GPM = 5,400 Gal/mo
Broken Services Line 1 night @15 GPM = 8,100 Gal
1 day @15 GPM = 21,600 Gal
1 week @15 GPM = 151,200 Gal
1 month @ 15 GPM = 648,000 Gal
Stuck Ice Maker @ 2 GPM = 86,400 Gal/mo
Stuck Check Valve in Washing Machine – 30 minutes = 240 Gal
Stuck Float Valve in Watering Trough @ 5GPM = 216,000 Gal/mo

Typical Normal Water Uses:

1 Bath = 42 Gal
1 Shower = 17 Gal
Wash 1 Load of Clothes = 45 Gal
Flush Toilet = 3 Gal