Leak Detection

MPWD wants to help you find sources of possible leaks within your home and property and help conserve water along the way. Follow these easy steps for the most common ways of detection.

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  Toilets

  These silent leaks often go undetected due to the lack of noticeable evidence. Use food coloring or dye leak detection tabs to determine if the toilet is leaking. Free leak detection tabs are available from the MPWD Office. Call (650) 591-8941 for more details.

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  Faucets

  Look for faucets, hose bibs, and water connections under sinks for signs of leaks such as continuous drips and trickles of water.

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  Irrigation System

  Look for puddling or water flow around sprinkler heads and valves, and listen for noisy valves when the irrigation system is off. For further assistance with detecting leaks and making repairs to your irrigation system, contact a licensed irrigation specialist.

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  Swimming Pools and Water Features

  If you are routinely needing to add more than 2” of water to your pool per week, look for malfunctioning equipment – especially the filter, pump, heater, and pipe valves – and broken lines. Check for wet areas around the pool and sunken/eroding areas. For further assistance with detecting leaks and making repairs to your pool or spa, contact a licensed swimming pool service.

Unable to Find the Leak?

Follow these steps to determine if the leak is in your water service line between the meter and your home, or if it is inside the home or irrigation line past the house valve.

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  Turn Off Your House Valve

  Your house valve is typically located below the hose bib in the front of your home. Proceed to turn it off and use caution if it is an older valve.

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  Locate Your Water Meter

  Your water meter is located below ground, typically near the street with a lid labeled “WATER.” Use a screwdriver to lift the lid and locate the water meter panel.

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  Check the Meter Reading

  Observe the last 2 digits at the far right of your meter display. If they stop moving, the leak is coming from inside the house or the irrigation system past the house valve. If the digits continue to increase, it’s most likely a leak in the water service line between the water meter and the house valve. If your irrigation system is connected before the house valve, it could also be an irrigation leak. For further assistance with detecting leaks and making repairs in the water service line past the water meter, contact a licensed plumber. Customer are responsible for repairing leaks downstream of the water meter.