Water Leaks

Detecting Leaks at Your Property

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How to locate your water meter:	How to read your meter

Water Saving Tips and Leak Detection:

Water leaks can cost you money and waste water. Here is what you can do if you suspect a leak:

Sign up for My ATX Water

Through the My ATX Water portal, customers will receive “continuous usage alerts” if their water is continuously running – this important alert could point to a leak. Customers can also receive alerts when their water usage increases or approaches the next tier in billing. To sign up for My ATX Water, head to myatxwater.org.
Sign up.

Check your Utility bill

Compare your current water usage on your utility bill to the same months of previous years. Unusually high water usage may indicate a leak.

Check your Water Meter

Write down a meter reading, and check it again a few hours later (make sure not to use any water while performing this test).

Check for Indoor Leaks

• Toilets: If your toilet has a leak, you could be wasting about 200 gallons of water every day. Check for toilet leaks by adding several drops of food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes.
   
• Faucets & Showerheads: Check all faucets and showerheads for drips. A slow drip can waste as much as 20 gallons of water each day. Austin Water offers free conservation tools, including a water-efficient showerhead & faucet aerator.
   
• Washing Machine & Dishwasher: Look for water on the floor near your washing machine or dishwasher, it could be a leak.
   
• Water Heater: Water dripping down the side of the tank could mean the pressure relief valve is stuck.

Outdoor Leaks

• Irrigation System: Check the irrigation system for damage, especially before turning the system back on for the spring and summer irrigation season and after mowing your lawn.
   
• Soggy Spots: Soft, soggy, spots in your yard or uneven plant growth might be a sign of a leak in your underground water pipes.
   
• Home Foundation: Standing water around the foundation could mean your underground pipes have become damaged. 
   
• Lookout for Algae: A buildup of algae on the ground or walls around the outdoor spigot may be the result of an undetected leak.
   
• Pool Levels: Use a grease pencil to mark the desired water level, watch for a drop of 6 inches or more per month. This amount typically indicates a leak. Be sure to check the pumps as well as the area around the water pump for any signs of escaping water.

How to test your toilet for a leak

One of the most common leaks in the household is a leaky toilet. If you've received an alert from the My ATX Water portal or if you've noticed your bill has increased, it could be due to a leaky toilet. Watch this video to learn how to test for a leaky toilet:

If you find the leak originates from your toilet flapper valve, watch this video to learn how to quickly and easily change that:

Leak Repair Process

Every effort is made to respond to leak reports quickly and with as few disruptions as possible. Once a leak has been reported, the following steps are taken to repair the leak:

• Leak Investigation
  An Austin Water technician is routed to confirm the leak's location, size, and severity. Once confirmed, crews are routed or scheduled to make the repair. 
   
• Leak Repairs
  Austin Water crews are on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, to repair leaks and broken water lines. Waterline repair often involves traffic control for rerouting traffic and roadway repair. Austin Water coordinates with Austin's Transportation and Public Works Departments, as required. 
   
• Plumbing Repair Assistance
  The City of Austin Housing Department offers a Plumbing Repair Program to fix issues related to public health, safety, and water savings. Eligible repairs include: toilets & showers, lavatory, plumbing, sinks and faucets. Modifications are provided at no cost to qualifying households. The City can provide up to $15,000 in grant funds for home repairs. Read more about repair options and application process.

Water Outages

Austin Water crews maintain infrastructure through a variety of activities such as exercising valves, pressure and flow testing, and leak detection, among other preventative maintenance services. Additionally, in a rapidly growing city, development requires tie-ins to existing infrastructure to establish new connections. These activities often require a test and subsequent temporary shutout for our customer base and are reflected in this map. 

Bill Adjustments

If you have experienced a leak that resulted in a higher than average bill, submit a request for a water leak bill adjustment.

Resources

• Leak Response Map
• 3-1-1 Service Request Form