Here’s how to tell if you have a leak somewhere:
- Make sure all your water outlets are turned off.
- Check your water meter.
- If it’s still running, you likely have a leak.
Checking for leaks in your toilets:
- Add food colouring to the toilet tank.
- Wait 20 minutes.
- If the coloured water appears in the toilet bowl, a leak is present.
- Check for leaking faucets or pipes (a leaking faucet can waste from 280 to 750 litres of water in a week).
- Check all faucets periodically.
- Watch for drips.
- Replace faulty parts.
- Electronic leak sensors placed under major household appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, alert you as soon as water starts to collect underneath.
Typical water use:
- Toilet flush = 6 – 30 litres per flush
- Showering = 5.7 – 18.9 litres per minute
- Bathtub = 75 litres per full tub
- Washing machine = 170 – 190 litres per cycle
- Dishwasher = 40 – 55 litres per cycle
- Faucet = 7.6 – 11.3 litres per minute
- Car washing = approximately 400 litres per car
- Lawn watering = 10 – 35 litres per minute
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