Water Leak Information

Responsibility for Water Leak

All property owners, or their agents and tenants, shall be held responsible as consumers for loss of water due to leakage in the pipe or plumbing beyond the discharge side of the meter or on the property. If lost water is not paid for according to the rates provided when the amount becomes due, the water service shall be disconnected in accordance with the billing and collections policy. Service will not be restored until all leaks have been repaired to the satisfaction of the department.

If a leak in the pipe or plumbing beyond the discharge side of the meter is causing or may cause, a public nuisance, the city may terminate water service to the property, upon ten days prior written notice to the owner and occupants of the property. In such an event, service will not be restored until all leaks have been repaired to the satisfaction of the department.

How to Diagnose a Water Leak

• We recommend reviewing several months of your water history usage. If your bills have increased, it may be due to a water leak.
• To check for a leak, turn off all faucets inside and outside of the home and anything that may use water.
• Once that step is taken, check to see if your water meter’s usage detector is moving (see How to Read Your Water Meter).
• If all faucets and equipment that uses water are off your leak indicator should not be moving. If it is moving you may have a leak.

Customers who have experienced a high water bill due to a plumbing leak may be eligible for a leak adjustment review.

Consideration for a Leak Adjustment

• The customer must make a formal request. You may submit an online application.
• The customer must submit proof that the leak was repaired.
  • Copy of plumber’s repair bill
  • A sales receipt from a plumbing supply store
  • Owner/customer statement
• Water usage must be at least 100% above the average usage of the prior three months.
• Consumption must have returned to normal usage prior to consideration for a water leak adjustment.
• The adjustment must be requested within 30 days from the billing date.
• The Customer Service Division will review the information and adjust the rate of excess water usage if appropriate.

How a Water Leak Adjustment Will Be Applied

• May receive an adjustment once per twelve months.
• Up to two months' usage may be adjusted.
• A Commercial adjustment will be based on the sewer portion of the bill and adjusted based on the last three months of usage.
• A Residential adjustment will consist of a reduction of excess usage (usage higher than the customer’s previous three-month average) to Tier 1 water rates.
• Any adjustment will be applied to the water account.

All customers requesting a billing adjustment in accordance with these guidelines are required to pay their bill in full or make payment arrangements while this form is being processed.