Quick References
Toilet Rebates
Multi - Family and Non - Residential
Properties
Important Information Regarding Water Leaks
A broken water main is a spectacular example of water loss, however, it is a loss that the utility absorbs. The small, sometimes barely noticeable, leaks in your internal plumbing are costing you money, as well as wasting an important resource, and even a dripping faucet can “use” thousands of gallons a year. To see what different size leaks waste, or to calculate how much water an internal leak you may now have, is pouring down the drain, try this Drip Calculator provided by the American Water Works Association.
If you have just filled your pool, started watering your garden, installed a dishwasher, or increased the number of people in your home or business, you can expect a jump in your water usage. But a one-time activity (such as filling your pool) should not make your bill stay higher; and gradually increasing billed volume should alert you to the possibility of a leak in your system. When our meter readers notice a large jump in consumption from the previous month, they leave a “leak letter” suggesting that you investigate.
A 10-25% variation in water use is not unusual. If your volume (indicated by the graph on your bill) increases by 25% or more, or continues to creep up, and you have no rational explanation, you should try the following:
- Read the water meter, noting the position of the clock-style hand that records individual gallons.
- Wait at least 15 minutes without using water.
- Look at the meter again to see if the hand moved. If it did not, there are probably no leaks. Slow and intermittent leaks can be detected by waiting longer between readings.
- If the meter hand did move, check all faucets for visible leaks.
- Check the toilets for leaks by adding food coloring to the water in the tank. Do not flush. Wait 15 minutes to see if the colored water appears in the toilet bowl. If it does, there is a leak.
- If there appear to be no leaks inside your home, check outdoors for underground leaks. Turn off your main valve to the house. Open an indoor faucet to verify that the valve is working. The water flow should stop completely. Check the meter to see if it continues to run. If it does, there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing between the main valve and the meter.
- Repeat the meter reading procedure after making all repairs, to ensure that there are no more leaks.
Exerpt Taken From ACSA Rules and Regulations
Regarding Leak Policy
12-02. WATER AND SEWER RATES.
Rates for water and sewer service shall be established by the Board pursuant to the procedures
specified in the Act. Normally, rates will not be changed more often than annually. The rates
established will apply to all customers of the system with the following exceptions:
A. No charge will be assessed for water used for fire protection.
B. Upon presentation of evidence that a customer’s water service line leak has been promptly repaired, the water charge will be adjusted to the wholesale rate for all water above the customer’s normal consumption, and no sewer charge will be made for the estimated amount of water not passing into the sanitary sewer system. No other water and sewer charge adjustments shall be considered, including those for leaks on irrigation systems and interior structure plumbing systems.
C. Any meter dedicated to the service of the irrigation system, whether “auxiliary” or “primary”, shall be billed as a “water only account” and shall not be subject to the sewer rates provided there is no physical connection to the public sewer system. [Added 01/01/06]
