Leak Surveys in Bexar County

What a Leak Survey Covers

A leak survey evaluates a water distribution system as a whole, locating active leaks and identifying areas showing early signs of failure, rather than responding to one known or suspected problem. Our process begins with a professional walk-through: technicians collect details on water usage patterns, billing history, and any concerns the property manager or water purveyor has already identified. That context shapes where testing focuses and what the readings mean in practice.

Detection Methods We Use

Once the walk-through is complete, testing uses three primary methods:

• Acoustic sensing: Listening equipment identifies the sound signatures of pressurized water escaping a pipe, even when the leak is beneath a slab or under landscaping
• Pressure testing: Controlled pressure variations in the line confirm whether a section holds or indicates loss at a specific point
• Infrared thermal imaging: Temperature differences at the surface reveal moisture migration behind walls or beneath concrete that acoustic methods alone may not isolate

At the conclusion of the survey, we deliver a comprehensive inspection report describing findings, supported by images or instrument readings, alongside recommended next steps, giving property managers and water purveyors a clear record to act on.

Signs Your System May Need a Leak Survey

Some indicators are obvious. Others accumulate quietly over months before anyone connects them to a distribution system problem. Watch for:

• A water meter moving with no active usage: Movement in the meter when all consumption has stopped is a primary indicator of a leak in the potable water line
• A pump running without a clear cause: Constant pump cycling without a corresponding demand load often points to pressure loss from a hidden leak
• Unexplained water bill increases: Significant billing spikes with no change in usage habits suggest water is leaving the system somewhere it shouldn’t
• Staining or musty odors: Surface stains on walls, ceilings, or paving, or persistent musty smells in mechanical spaces, can indicate moisture from a leak that hasn’t surfaced visibly

Water Infrastructure Context in Bexar County

Bexar County is served by numerous separate public water purveyors beyond the City of San Antonio’s utility, most drawing primarily from groundwater sources including the Edwards Aquifer. San Antonio Water System (SAWS), the region’s largest purveyor, serves more than 2,000,000 customers and manages roughly 8,000 miles of water pipe, operating a Non-Revenue Water Program that has already achieved approximately 26% reduction in water loss per connection and targets 50% by 2035.

Texas Water Development Board rules require retail public water utilities with more than 3,300 connections, or with an active financial obligation to the Board, to file a water loss audit annually. Smaller utilities file every five years. For organizations subject to those requirements, a professional distribution system leak survey offers documented findings that can support accurate reporting and guide targeted repairs.