Benton County Water Authority #4

Checking For Water Leaks

A leak on your water line not only wastes a valuable resource but can quickly run up a costly water bill. If your water bill unexpectedly increases but your water usage patterns have not changed, it could mean you have a leak. However, before you check for a leak, you may wish to consider the following:

A number of activities can attribute to a higher water bill that is not directly associated with a leak. Consider if there has been a recent increase in the number of people in your household or business, excessive lawn watering, pools, or maintaining a garden pond. The most common issues associated with perceived leaks are running toilets or accidentally leaving a garden hose running.

Once you have verified that all sources of water have been shut off, check your meter. If it continues to spin, then you quite possibly have a leak.

If you suspect you have a leak and are unable to locate the cause of the leak, we encourage you to contact a licensed plumber. If you find or see a leak that is not on your property, please call us immediately on our emergency line at (479)877-9368.

Stop Water Leaks Before They Occur

Bitterly cold temperatures can cause a great deal of stress on your water lines. When temperatures drop below freezing, unprotected or inadequately protected lines are at a greater risk of rupturing. If you are going to be away from your home, take a few minutes to turn the water off to your house at your valve box. In the event of a line rupture, it could potentially save you from costly water damage and a high water bill.

And for those nights where temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing, try leaving a faucet running with a light stream of water to prevent your line from freezing.