These EPA statistics are real eye-openers:
• A leaking toilet can waste up to 90,000 gallons of water in 30 days. At today’s rates, that can add up to $500 to a single water bill.
• A single, pin-hole sized leak in a pipe or faucet fitting can waste almost 360,000 gallons of water in a year. If the hole is in a metal pipe, at 40 psi, water is lost at a rate of 2,500 gallons in just 24 hours.

And, money isn’t the only thing you’ll save if you take care of those sneaky leaks in your home. Undetected leaks can cause your floors to buckle or allow mold to take hold – problems that can be expensive and difficult to reverse.

Here are a couple of ways you can become a “leak detective” in your home:

• Check your water bill during the winter months. If your family of four is using more than 12,000 gallons of water per month, chances are you have a serious water leak.

• Run a water meter test. Pick a time when you will not use any water for a two-hour period, and jot down the readings on your water meter. Check the meter again at the end of the two-hour period. If the reading has changed, you probably have a leak. So, how do you begin tracking down the leak? Well, you can eliminate the toilet tank as the source of the leak by shutting off the valves under all the toilets in your home or building, and then conducting the meter test again for at least 30 minutes. If the numbers on the meter don’t change, you probably have a toilet leak. If they still change, even when the toilets have been shut off, then you may need a leak detection specialist to pinpoint the source of the leak.

• Conduct a dye test. If you suspect a toilet leak, place a couple of drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Do not flush the toilet for 15 minutes. If the color shows up in the toilet bowl, you have a leak. (Flush the toilet immediately at the end of this test to avoid staining the tank and bowl.)

These simple tests won’t cost you a penny, but they can save you a lot. And, repairing water leaks promptly makes sense, not only for your budget but for our water supply, too.

If you need help tracking down the source of a leak, the trained technicians at American Leak Detection can help. We use state-of-the-art technology and equipment to detect leaks, using the most non-invasive leak detection possible, to minimize disruption and expense in repairing even the most difficult leaks.

“With local residents working on curtailing costs and environmental resources, fixing water leaks should be considered a priority for the community,” said Jimmy Carter, owner of American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts. He goes on to put things in perspective by noting that a leak the size of a pinhead can waste 360,000 gallon of water a year – an amount enough to fill 12,000 bathtubs to the overflow mark.

According to Carter, members of the local community should be constantly vigilant of the water use in their homes. He says the following steps should be taken regularly to accurately monitor for possible water leaks:

- Check for changes to the water meter when there is no water being used – mark the indicator on the meter; don’t use any water for an hour; then check the meter. If the indicator moved, a leak may be present.
- Compare water bills from month to month to see if the bill escalates over a period of weeks or months.
- Inspect walls or floors for wet, spongy, moist or discolored areas.
- Examine building foundation for cracks, uneven growth of vegetation or earth shifts.
- Conduct a “Bucket Test” to check pools and spas for water loss. A loss of one-eighth inch or more of water in 24 hours is suspicious.
- Monitor the pool’s automatic filler; if it is continually releasing water, there may be a leak.

“If members of the local community notice any of the above symptoms occurring at their home or business, they should contact a professional immediately,” said Carter. “Left unaddressed, water leaks can cause costly damage to a building’s structure that may require labor-extensive repairs.”

American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts specializes in the accurate, non-destructive detection of hidden water, sewer and other leaks. Using proprietary equipment and methods, leaks are located without destroying walls or digging holes, thereby avoiding unnecessary property and other damage.

For detailed directions on the Meter Test and Bucket Test, please visit www.americanleakdetection.com. For more information about American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts, please contact Jimmy Carter at 800-755-6697.

About American Leak Detection
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Palm Springs, California, American Leak Detection is dedicated to resource protection and eco-friendly services. American Leak Detection is the world leader in the accurate, non-destructive detection of all types of leaks including hidden water and sewer leaks. From swimming pool cracks to concealed plumbing systems, the smallest leak is located with the most advanced, sophisticated electronic devices – without bashing holes in walls or digging up the deck or yard. For the last nine years, American Leak Detection has been ranked #1 in Entrepreneur® magazine’s “Maintenance Products and Services” franchise sector. In February 2008, The Wall Street Journal included American Leak Detection on its list of the 25 top high-performing franchises. For more information on American Leak Detection, call 800.755.6697 or visit www.americanleakdetection.com.

But, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other corporate, scientific and government sponsors around the world have designated September 18, 2010, as “World Water Monitoring Day” to focus attention on the importance of preserving one of our most critical resources – water – in both large and small ways.

Many of us take water for granted.  After all, water covers about two-thirds of the earth’s surface, right?  What’s the big deal?  Well, according to the USGS, out of all that water, there’s only about one percent that’s usable by humans!  And, we can’t make or produce new water.  We have a finite supply to work with, so preserving that supply is something we all need to take very seriously.

Because most of the one percent of the world’s water that is available to us is contained in lakes and rivers, World Water Monitoring Day encourages people to take an active role in monitoring the water quality in their neighborhood streams, rivers, lakes and ponds.  Schools, service organizations and concerned individuals strap on their waders or slip into their bathing suits and take water samples and other measurements to help determine the health of the world’s waterways.  You can get involved here.

But, preservation of that “useful” water is also key to protecting our water resources. Here are some simple “checks and changes” from American Leak Detection you can implement in your own home to eliminate common water wasters:

Faucets

• Check for dripping faucets or shower valves. If a drip fills an 8-ounce glass in 15 minutes, the faucet will waste about 180 gallons of water per month, or 2,160 gallons a year.  Simple fix: Try replacing the cartridge, washer or valve seat.
• Change to a low-flow faucet to save an average of 3.5 gallons per minute.

Toilets

• Check for leaks. Drop a teaspoon of food coloring in the toilet tank.  If the color appears in the bowl in about 15 minutes, replace the flapper valve.
• Change to a low-flow toilet to save nearly 3.5 gallons per flush. To save even more, place an empty plastic water bottle filled with pebbles in the toilet tank as a simple water displacement device.

And, here are some handy tools you’ll find on our site to detect those “sneaky leaks” that can silently waste gallons of water each month.

Pool/Spa

• Check for constantly running auto-fill, increased use of chemicals and a high evaporation rate. All could indicate a pool leak. (Note: Normal evaporation is usually 1/8″ to 1/4″ with auto-fill off.)
• Tool: The Bucket Test and The Pool Leak Calculator – to determine if you have a leak and the rate of water loss, respectively, prior to contacting a professional like American Leak Detection.

Hidden Leaks

• Check for silent leaks. Often not thought of are hidden leaks the size of a pinhead in a service line underground or behind a wall, which can waste enough water annually to fill 12,000 bathtubs to the overflow mark. Monitor your water bill and usage monthly and annually.
• Tool: The Meter Test for homes – to determine if you may have a leak prior to calling an expert such as American Leak Detection.

Each action that you take may seem like just a drop in the bucket of worldwide conservation, but if everyone takes responsibility for detecting and stopping water-wasting leaks in their own homes, the savings will really create a big splash! Share our tips with your friends to begin to make a difference today.

“I don’t care why these pipes aren’t working!” one of the residents yelled. “I pay $60 a month for water! I just want my toilet to flush! Why do I need to know how it works?”

- New York Times

The person quoted above just wants their water to work. What many people don’t understand is that our water system is a luxury to those that lived before. Imagine walking a mile for a bucket of your daily water supply. For several generations, we have had the convenience of running water and we forget how good we have it. However, there is a cost.

An E.P.A. study last year estimated that $335 billion would be needed simply to maintain the nation’s tap water systems in coming decades. In states like New York, officials estimate that $36 billion is needed in the next 20 years just for municipal wastewater systems.

Saving U.S. Water and Sewer Systems Would Be Costly

Since our water infrastructure is aging, it needs continued maintenance. The cost may seem high, but it should be considered an investment in our future as we know it.

Jimmy Carter, Senior Director of Field Services of American Leak Detection, was interviewed for the article linked above, and we had the chance to ask Jimmy about certain quotes from the article to provide more insight on the state of the infrastructure.

- nation’s water infrastructure system 2009 grade of D-.

Jimmy Carter: “Due to our water system’s age coupled with supply and demand issues, our water infrastructure is in desperate need of repair. Typical systems lose as little as 4-5% while some systems reach as high as 40 to 60% of unaccountable water that could be due to leaks, theft or non-metered usage.  Loss not only means waste, but also the expense of treatment and lost revenue.

Homeowners hate to see their water bills go up, but may not understand the bigger picture from the water district side. The cost for treating the water, upgrading infrastructure by replacing old lines, keeping the supply for new construction of new potable and non-potable systems, increasing production at their treatment plants, and dealing with issues such as the smelt belt in our California aqueduct systems are just some of the many issues water districts must face that would impact customers.

“2002 analysis – funding gap for replacing aging pipes would be an estimated 27 billion a year over 20 years.

Jimmy Carter: “This is a serious concern for our nation.  Our government needs to make it a priority for funding as well as resources.”

Water utilities should drive toward the goal of getting water loss down to about 4%.

Jimmy Carter:  “It requires continuous and proactive attention to meters and distribution pipe integrity.”

- water audits and leak detection activities play a key role in doing so.

Jimmy Carter: “I think that states it clearly.”

Long-term, the country’s objective in managing water loss is moving toward identifying and managing failure before it occurs or at least manage losses early on …

Jimmy Carter: “Again, being proactive is the key to keeping a sound water distribution system.”

- 10% of the nation’s pipes exceed 80 years old, 30% are between 40 and 80 years old, and 60% are under 40 years old.

Jimmy Carter: “As our water system ages, we need to continue to replace degraded pipes and meters. It would be ideal to have a catalog of pipe ages so we can prioritize the replacement of the pipes in the most efficient way.”

– most critical criterion for pipe replacement is the leak in the pipes.

Jimmy Carter: “Corrosion, ground shifting and poor quality management lead to the majority of leaks.”

Water leak surveys can be somewhat time consuming and may seem costly, involving expenses in human labor and high-cost transportation. But over all the survey is really going to give the system a through inspection of their system, allowing them to create needed repairs and account for any water loss issues.

Jimmy Carter: “Bottom line, when reacting to emergency leaks, the cost is higher as opposed to a having a long-term plan of system maintenance that includes proactive leak surveys.

We work with several water districts that have us conduct leak surveys on an annual basis or when they know a certain section has a leak. This scenario really helps identify unaccounted water loss and helps the districts get their systems back to a tighter check status.”

Remote sensing is the way it must go… The technology eliminates the human factor. You install very inexpensive sensors along the pipe, and it’s very
easy to install.

Jimmy Carter: “The current cost for these sensors are not affordable for small systems. The sensing systems are great for large systems that can afford the up-front investment. Also, human involvement is still required to interpret the information, send out the crews to verify the location, and make the repair. American Leak Detection is working with many rural water distributors to help them cut down their water loss.”

Part of the challenge of performing leak surveys is that distribution systems may not always have accurate maps of their system

Jimmy Carter: “While some districts have current, documented maps, we have found that many utility maps are not always current or indicate types of materials and pipe diameters. Part of what we do is verify the location of the pipes underground before we attempt a leak detection or correlation.”

Leak Detection can take some detective work…

Jimmy Carter: “Leak detection is a game of solving the mystery of the source of the leak. On occasion, they are easy, but you can’t assume anything. With every detected leak, we verify the information before penetrating the ground to dig up the pipe.”

Leak detection can, and sometimes should, extend all the way into the residential, commercial, and industrial operations.

Jimmy Carter: “Many water utility customers have leaks that the utility cannot service. The utility can only provide service up to the meter. The pipe on the other side of the meter is the customers’ responsibility. Many utilities recommend our service to their customers to help them solve the customer’s leak problem.”

- 83% of the 53,000 community water systems serve fewer than 3,300 people.

Jimmy Carter: “Many water systems are in rural areas serving agriculture. These agricultural water distribution systems lack the funds to place automatic leak sensors. They need help from their respective state water association to underwrite the funds to allow them take measures to reduce their water loss.”

These smaller systems face huge financial, technological, and managerial challenges in meeting a growing number of federal drinking water regulations…

Jimmy Carter: “The future federal drinking water regulations will be difficult to uphold for the small water utilities. They will be burdened with huge fines if they cannot get their water loss down to the federal minimum.”

Small municipal entities can get help through their state’s rural water association…

Jimmy Carter: “American Leak Detection has been working closely with California Rural Water Association to train their circuit riders and association members in the generalities of leak survey work and water loss auditing.”

The greatest reason for performing leak detection on the infrastructure now is to determine unaccounted-for water loss and reduce lost revenue.

Jimmy Carter: “Unaccounted-for water loss can be for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s simply an accounting error or possibly faulty meters, but many times it is leakage in the pipes.

Water agencies are doing a great job of educating home owners and business owners on ways to conserve water by providing
water conservation tips, 20 gallon challenges, irrigation systems
that are more water friendly, and recommendations for landscapes that require minimal water. Water conservation programs, leak surveys, and new monitoring technologies all help to protect one of our most precious resources – water.”

author: g2thek2thea

Property managers have many responsibilities for the properties they oversee, including property infrastructure integrity. When property managers do not bill their tenants for water usage, it is important to make sure there are no leaks in the system. You may want to consider sub-metering for your system so you can track usage, and proactively seek out reports of high water usage to discover if it is due to tenant behavior, a running toilet, or worse, a compromised plumbing system.

Check out these resources for more information on saving water and money:

• Water Conservation Tips
• LeakBird.com
• Green Property Management Field Guide
• Property Management Tips

If you cover the water bills for your property you may want to do an audit on your system to find out what is normal water usage. Then when you get the monthly water bill you should be able to see if there is something unusual. You could track your water usage in a spreadsheet to see over time if there are seasonal spikes. Seasonal spikes could be from different sources. In the winter its possible to have freezing pipes burst and increase water bills. In the summer, you may have tenants in apartments washing cars, or kids using more water for water fights. As many areas are on drought alert, make sure you are doing your part to conserve water and your money.

thanks to tree007

American Leak Detection has been helping people conserve water since 1974, however this Earth Day, we would like to help you reduce your environmental impact and stay hydrated at the same time.

The Value of Water

As many areas face serious water shortages and even drought, we can do our part to conserve precious supplies through small, thoughtful changes in their lifestyles and activities.

There is no shortage of news stories on the merits of tap water and bottled water from a variety of different perspectives. The truth is, while tap water and bottled water are regulated differently, both are generally safe, healthy choices. But only tap water delivers public health protection, fire protection, support for the economy and the overall quality of life we enjoy. Whatever you choose drink, the water system infrastructure needs constant attention to keep safe water flowing through our communities every day.

Bottled water impact

• Tap water costs much less than bottled water
• Plastic bottles are a source of pollution as 90% are not recycled
• Bottling companies and tap water utilities are not regulated by the same standards
• More energy used in manufacturing, storing and transporting bottled water
• Every year about 1.5 million tons of plastic go into manufacturing water bottles for the global market, using processes that release toxics such as nickel, ethylbenzene, ethylene oxide and benzene. In the U.S. alone 1.5 million barrels of oil are consumed in making the bottles. Most bottles end up in landfills, adding to the landfill crisis.

Simple changes effect larger outcomes

• When drinking bottled water, be sure to reuse or recycle your bottles to limit the environmental impact of plastic bottles.
• Install an in-home water filtration system for improved tap water quality

Conserve Water:

• Water conservation tips

2007 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment

The Environmental Protection Agency has conducted a study on the needs of improving our drinking water infrastructure. There is room for a lot of improvement in our infrastructure.

03/26/2009: Safe Drinking Water Needs Assessed.

The Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, which is done every four years, reflects data collected in 2007 from states. According to the survey results, the nation’s water utilities will need to invest an estimated $334.8 billion over the next 20 years to deal with aging infrastructure.

Depending on the size and nature of the leak, the average consumer can easily see his or her water bills increasing by hundreds of dollars each month.

Calling American Leak Detection pays for itself – if you suspect a leak at your home, pool or business, call us, the Original Leak Specialists!