Water Leak Detection Case Studies

We all know that it’s important to conserve water, and we do our best to do our part. We turn off the water while we brush our teeth, and we don’t run the water in the shower until we’re ready to step in. What many people don’t realize, though, is that undetected water leaks can use an astronomical amount of water. That drip that you hear coming from the faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons of water a year. That’s enough water to shower 180 times. Those little bits of wasted water can really add up. That’s just one reason why it’s important to detect water leaks. There’s another important reason to be aware of water leaks, too. Even if you aren’t concerned about wasting water, the damage caused by leaks – including small leaks – can be extensive. It can amount to thousands of dollars in repair costs. To find out more about the importance of water leak detection, check out these case studies.

Case Study #1 – Long-Term Undetected Water Leak

A 250 unit building had no signs of a water leak. However, 16 of those units incurred water and sewer charges in excess of $38,000 in a two-year period. The charges raised a red flag, but the property managers didn’t know where to begin because there were no symptoms of a leak. They called a plumber to help identify the problem. Water consumption was assessed based on a review of the water and sewer bills. This review showed that the 16 units in question had much higher water usage than the remainder of the 250 units in the building. In fact, those 16 units were using 200% more water than the average for the county. It was clear that there was a leak. With no symptoms of a leak, though, it was difficult to figure out where the leak was located. A trench was dug, and the leak was located. It turned out the leak was flowing toward a nearby creek, which was able to obscure the problem. After repairing the leak, the water consumption dropped by more than 3,350 gallons of water per day. The repair led to a savings of more than $1,000 per month.

Case Study #2 – Underground Pipe Damage

An apartment building saw its water bills rise dramatically from $23,000 per month to $74,000 per month. There were no obvious signs of a water leak. They contacted a plumber, who analyzed the water bills and placed water monitoring devices on the property. They discovered a catastrophic leak on the property. After further investigation, it was discovered that a huge quantity of water was running through the sewer system. The approximate location of the leak was determined. After uncovering the water lines, they found that grading in the area had caused rock and debris to settle in a manner that damaged the water line. A nearby junction box was damaged as well, so the water from the leak was flowing directly into the sewer. The damage was repaired, resulting in a savings of over 160,000 gallons of water and $45,000 per month.

You may not have a large apartment building, but even in a small home, lost water adds up. It costs money on your water and sewer bills, and it can damage the foundation of your home. If you notice that your water or sewer bill is increasing, call Scott English Plumbing. We’ll help you detect any leaks and get them repaired promptly. Get in touch with Scott English Plumbing for more information today.