Water Leaks

Detect Leaks at Your Property

Start by checking your water meter and utility bill for signs of unusual use.

• How to locate your water meter (PDF)
• How to read your water meter (PDF)

Sign up for the My ATX Water Customer Portal to receive continuous usage alerts that could point to a leak, along with notifications when your water use increases or approaches the next billing tier.

You can also review your utility bill (PDF) and compare current water use to the same months of previous years. Unusually high use may indicate a leak. To check your meter directly, write down a reading and check it again a few hours later without using any water in between.

Indoor Leaks

• Toilets: A leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water every day. Add several drops of food coloring to the tank. If color appears in the bowl within 30 minutes without flushing, you have a leak.
• Faucets and showerheads: A slow drip can waste as much as 20 gallons a day. Check all faucets and showerheads for drips and repair them promptly. Austin Water offers free conservation tools including water-efficient showerheads and faucet aerators.
• Washing machine and dishwasher: Look for water on the floor near these appliances.
• Water heater: Water dripping down the side of the tank may mean the pressure relief valve is stuck.

Outdoor Leaks

• Irrigation system: Check for damage before turning your system on each spring and after mowing.
• Soggy spots: Soft or soggy areas in your yard or uneven plant growth may indicate a leak in underground pipes.
• Home foundation: Standing water around the foundation could mean underground pipes are damaged.
• Algae buildup: Algae on the ground or walls near an outdoor spigot may be a sign of an undetected leak.
• Pool levels: Mark the desired water level with a grease pencil and check for a drop of 6 inches or more per month, which typically indicates a leak. Also check the area around the water pump.

How We Respond to Leak Reports

We respond to leak reports quickly and with as few disruptions as possible.

• Investigation: An Austin Water technician confirms the leak's location, size and severity, then routes crews to make the repair.
• Repairs: Austin Water crews are on standby 24/7 to repair leaks and broken water lines. Waterline repairs often require traffic control and roadway repair. We coordinate with Austin Transportation and Public Works as needed.
• Road and sidewalk repairs: When repairs affect a roadway, sidewalk, curb, gutter or driveway, Austin Water makes temporary repairs and submits a request to the Street and Bridge Division of Austin Transportation and Public Works for permanent repairs.

Plumbing Repair Assistance

The City of Austin Housing Department's Plumbing Repair Program helps qualifying households fix plumbing issues related to public health, safety and water savings — including toilets, showers, sinks and faucets — at no cost. The City can provide up to $15,000 in grant funds for eligible home repairs.

Water Outages

Austin Water crews perform routine maintenance including valve exercises, pressure and flow testing and leak detection that may require temporary water shutoffs. Connections related to new development may also require brief shutoffs. View current and planned outages on the Water Outage and Leak Response Map.

Bill Adjustments

If a leak resulted in a higher bill than usual, you may be eligible for a water leak bill adjustment.