Water Saving Strategies - Leaks

Leaks should be identified and repaired as soon as possible.  Changing washers usually fixes a dripping tap, but a licensed plumber is generally needed to repair leaking toilets and pipes.  A few drips a minute might not seem like much, but when you start adding them up you quickly work out just how valuable those few drips are!

Check for leaks regularly and if you discover a leak, call a plumber to help you detect were the leak may be, and repair it correctly.

DRIPPING TAPS
The amount of water wasted by a dripping tap will vary depending on the severity of the leak, but has the potential to waste thousands of litres of water a year.  Dripping taps usually occur when fixtures are regularly turned off to tightly, over time this causes the rubber washers to deteriorate.  If you have dripping taps contact a licensed plumber, or visit your local plumbing or home improvement store for advice on replacing a tap washer.

LEAKING TOILETS
A toilet that is continuously running can be annoying, but also wastes up to 60,000 litres of water a year.  Follow these simple steps to check if your toilet has a leak:

• Remove the lid of the cistern
• Place a few drops of food dye into the cistern
• Do not flush your toilet for 10 to 15 minutes
• If the dye has seeped into the bowl when you return, you know you have a leaky toilet.

Toilet leaks are often caused by a deteriorated rubber valve in the cistern.  A licensed plumber can fix this for you. This check should be done regularly.

OTHER LEAKS
Leaks can be obvious, such as a leaking toilet or dripping tap, but some leaks can be concealed or hidden.  If you have a larger than normal water usage account or can hear water running when it shouldn’t be, testing the water meter is advised. 

View further information about water leaks and testing a water meter here.