How do I know if there is a water leak?
Here is a simple checklist to help determine if there is a water leak on your property:
  • Do you hear water running when it is not in use?
  • Do you see puddles or patches of green on your property even though you are not watering a lawn or plants?
  • When walking around the property, can you feel muddy or spongy areas which might indicate an open or leaking sprinkler head?

Follow these steps to check for a water leak on your property:

  1. Locate your water meter. Water meters are usually located in a rectangular or oval shaped box in the ground near the street. They can also be found in utility easements at the rear of many properties in Hesperia.

  2. Ensure that no water is being used anywhere on your property. Turn off all faucets inside and outside. All appliances that use water should be off, including your washing machine, automatic ice maker and irrigation system.

  3. Return to your meter box and observe the face of the water meter. If there is movement on the dial you may have a leak. For a very slow leak, you may not see the dial move but you will be able to observe the small round or triangular low-flow detector turning.

    Another method is to record the meter reading and also the position of the dial and return later to see if the reading is higher or if the dial has moved.

  4. If you detect a leak, turn off the water at the house shut-off valve, if there is one. If the leak stops, it is in the house. If the leak continues, it is outside between the meter and the house or possibly in your irrigation system.

    To check for a toilet leak, flush the toilet and while the reservoir is still filling, add two drops of food coloring to the water in the reservoir. Wait 15 to 30 minutes. If the water in the bowl changes color, the flapper valve needs to be replaced.

A broken sprinkler head wastes a large amount of water when the sprinklers are operating. You can check for this type of leak by observing all of your sprinkler heads while each station is running.

Once you have determined water is leaking, you may need to call a plumber or handyman to assist in finding and repairing it.

Show All Answers

1. How do I know if there is a water leak?
2. How can I make my payment?
3. How do I start new service?