The water industry loses over 3 billion litres of water a day in England and Wales. Some of this wastage is caused by faults in the water distribution network, which is the responsibility of the water company. However, a significant proportion of leaked water is from within consumer properties.
This is a major issue because a water leak at your home or business can go unnoticed if it is small and constant. As the leak is not visible you simply don’t know it is there and you might even be wasting water at this very moment.
Checking for a water leak is much easier than you think and it only takes a few minutes. Here you will learn how to save water by checking for leaks on your supply pipe and checking for leaks on your internal plumbing.
How to Check for Leaks on Your Supply Pipe
You simply need to turn off the water supply using the stop tap inside your property then look at the water metre. If your water metre stops then everything is fine but if your water metre continues to increase then you have a leak. If you have a leak, the good news is that you know it is on the supply pipe and you should inform your water company immediately.
When a leak occurs within the boundaries of your land then it will be your responsibility to fix the leak, otherwise it is the responsibility of the water company. When the leak is the responsibility of the water company, you are entitled to claim compensation for any recent increases in your water bill.
If you do not have a leak on your supply pipe then you still need to check for leaks on your internal plumbing. Read on to find out how.
How to Check for Leaks with Internal Plumbing
After checking for a leak on your supply pipe you are now ready to check your internal plumbing. Ensure the stop tab is back on so water is flowing as normal. Turn off your central heating system then walk round your property and turn off all taps including pumps for ponds, fish tanks and water features. Now go and check your water metre, which should have stopped.
If your water metre is increasing then don’t panic as you have probably left something running such as the central heating system. If you are certain that all water consumption should have stopped and your water metre continues to increase then you have a leak. In this instance you need to contact a plumber to investigate where the leak is occurring. The good news is that you can tell your plumber that the supply pipe has been checked and is not leaking, which will save the plumbers time and your money.
How to Save Water
To save water you need to take action. After checking your own property for leaks, tell your friends and colleagues about this article so they can check their property too. Remember to check for leaks again at your property at least twice each year. You should also prepare for winter and prevent burst pipes by insulating your pipes and keeping heating on low when the property is unoccupied. Once your plumbing is in good order, keep in mind water conservation at your home or workplace. Together we can conserve water and significantly reduce the 3 billion litre leak across England and Wales.
Here are some more interesting articles on water leaks:
- How much does your water company leak? – Discover Water
- Leakage Code of Practice for Water Companies – OFWAT Water Regulator
