Fix a Leak

The SCRD sends out quarterly leak notification letters and monthly update emails that alert property owners of a potential water leak. To sign up and receive your monthly water use check out Monthly Water Use Updates

The graphic below shows areas of responsibility. Property owners are responsible for maintaining all water piping and fixtures beyond the water meter box. If you’re unable to find and fix a leak yourself, a plumber can assist with isolating and repairing the leak. SCRD staff are available to answer any questions and support you in resolving your leak.

For help with accessing and reading the water meter servicing your property:

• Watch this 1-minute video on how to read a water meter.
• Review the following instruction sheet.

A water leak can be as small as a dripping tap or as big as a burst water line. If the leak location isn’t evident, it can take some investigating to isolate the leak. Some telltale signs of a leak include dripping and the sound of hissing water when the water connections are turned off.

To begin, check your taps, toilets, and appliances for evidence of a leak. Be sure to also check any outdoor water connections and irrigation systems on the property. Sometimes it helps to listen at night, when it might be a little quieter.

If you can’t find any obvious signs of the leak, you can use the water meter servicing your property to help isolate the leak.

Here are eight steps to isolating a water leak.

Steps to isolate a water leak:

1.  Before checking the meter, make sure all taps and water using appliances inside and outside the house or building are turned off.

2. Access the water meter display. Check for a solid leak notification water tap icon to confirm that the meter is detecting a continuous water leak.

3. Shut off the main water connection to the home or building.

4. Check the meter display (see image below)

• If the RATE is greater than 0, the leak is between the shut off point and the water meter. (i.e. somewhere along the waterline that services the home or building)
• If the RATE = 0, the leak is past the shut off point. (i.e. an indoor or outdoor water connection at the house or building such as a tap, toilet or irrigation system). Go to step 5.

5. If the leak is past the shut off point, turn the main water connection back on.

6. Through a process of elimination, you can identify the source of the leak. Shut off the water connection to a tap or fixture (only one), then check the water meter to determine if you have isolated the leak.

7. To know if you found the leaky culprit, check the water meter display:

• If the RATE = 0, the water connection that is off is the cause of the leak
• If the RATE is greater than 0, the water connection that is off is not the source of the leak.

8. Shut off another water connection and check the water meter display again. Repeat for all water connections inside and outside the house or building until the meter RATE reads 0.00.

The water meter servicing your property can help you determine the size of the leak. Before checking the meter, make sure all taps and water using appliances inside and outside the house or building are turned off.

• Access the water meter display. Check that the water tap icon is present to confirm that a leak is being detected. If there is no water icon, there is no leak.
• The size of the leak can be determined by observing the RATE displayed when all taps and water using appliances are off at the property. The RATE displays the real time water use in either litres per minute, or cubic meter per minute.
• Note, during low flow, the flow indicator will be flashing and the RATE display will switch between showing 0 and another number greater than 0 (e.g. 0.32 LPM, 0.00056 M3 per minute). This indicates that the size of the leak is within that range.

If you are unable to safely access your water meter or have any questions about reading the water meter, email infrastructure@scrd.ca for assistance.

The water meter can help determine if the water leak has been fully resolved. If you can safely access the water meter, check the display for a water tap icon:

• If there is no water tap icon on the meter display, this means you do not have a leak.
• If a water tap icon is flashing, you may have resolved the leak. Check back in 48 hours. If the leak is fully resolved, the water tap icon will disappear. If it is still flashing, the meter is detecting an intermittent leak.
• If a solid water tap icon is present, the meter is still detecting continuous flow which indicates a possible leak.

Sometimes water meter boxes can get covered up by leaves or overgrown plants. Water meters are often closer to the roadway than the house. Try walking around the front of your property (near the road) looking out for a plastic or metal meter box lid.

If you are unable to find the water meter servicing your property, SCRD Maps  can help find where the service connection is.

• Open SCRD Maps
• Click on the ‘Layers” tab in the bottom left corner.
• Turn on the “Property Information” then “SCRD Utilities” Layers.
• Enter your address in the search bar at the top right.
• A blue X on the map will show were the water service connection is. The water meter should be nearby.

Still unable to locate the water meter? Email infrastructure@scrd.ca for assistance.

Yes. Maintenance of all water piping and fixtures beyond the water meter is the responsibility of the property owner. Water leaks can grow and have the potential to cause costly damage to your property, as well as neighboring properties. The SCRD works with property owners to communicate leak information and support troubleshooting towards a resolution. Properties with unresolved water leaks of increasing volume that are impacting neighboring properties or SCRD water systems can be issued a water shutoff notice in accordance with SCRD Water Rates and Regulations Bylaw 422.

Toilets are a common cause of leaks. Find out how to test for a toilet leak in three easy steps in this video.