Using your Water Meter to Detect a Leak
Leaks in foundations, walls, sprinkler systems or underground are hard to detect. Your meter may have a leak indicator (generally a small dial or wheel as pictured); if it's turning when ALL WATER IS OFF, you have a leak. Even without a leak indicator, you can still use your meter to check for leaks in five easy steps:
- Turn off all water in the house & yard
- Locate your water meter
- Read the meter & record the reading
- After 15-20 minutes, re-check the meter reading
- Changed reading? You have a leak.
Watch Cal Water's instructional video for a demonstration.
Help Determining Leak Location
Many leaks have easy fixes that can save residents about 10% on water bills.
Hoses, Driplines & Sprinkler Heads
- Outside leaks can result in wet spots, puddling, flowing water or algae growth.
- Check hoses, connections and spigots to ensure they are in working order.
- Run each irrigation zone manually and carefully check for damage & faulty connections.
- Replace or repair damaged or leaking hoses, nozzles, spigots, and connectors.
Toilets
Perform a dye test:
- Put a dye tablet or a few drops of food coloring or into the toilet tank
- Let coloring sit for 1-2 hours (or overnight)
- If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak that can likely be repaired with a new toilet flapper
Water & Sewer Utilities has dye tablets & high-grade vinyl toilet flappers that fit most plastic flush valves, free during regular business hours at City Hall: 1500 Warburton Avenue.
Faucets & Showerheads
- Check for drips and tighten the connections
- If a leak develops, replace the faucet washers or the rubber ring
- If the valves or faucets are damaged, replace the faucet and valve assembly.
- Time for a new showerhead? Pick up a high-pressure, high-efficiency model from Water & Sewer Utilities, free during regular business hours at City Hall: 1500 Warburton Avenue
Under Sinks & Around Water Heaters
Check for pooling water under pipes and rust around joints. Musty smells and excess humidity may indicate a slow leak. Check beneath water heater tanks for pooling water, stains, rust and other signs of leakage.
Need to Shut Off Your Water?
Turn off your water using the house valve, not the meter valve. Normally located at the house front near a hose bib, look for a pipe coming from the ground and going into the house with a shut-off valve on it, similar to the illustration.
If you can't find the house valve or it doesn't work, the City can shut off the water to your home at the meter.
Turning off water at the meter yourself is not allowed!
The property owner is responsible to pay for repairs if an occupant or plumber damages the valve.
Call Water & Sewer Utilities: 408-615-2000. A technician will shut off or turn on your water at no charge, generally within 30 minutes.
The water meter and valve at the street are City property; only trained City technicians may work on or use the meter shut-off valve. The meter valve can be damaged if operated improperly.
