Leak Detection

Don’t let leaks go undetected.

Small leaks can add up to big bills… that leaky toilet can use up to 1,000 gallons of water every day!

Just because you can’t see a leak doesn’t mean it’s not there.

To check for hidden leaks, look for signs of water damage on floors, ceilings, and at the back of cabinets and crawl spaces.


Know your numbers.

It’s important to know your typical water usage. How many gallons of water does your household use? You can monitor your usage and set up alerts in your Pure Connect℠ account. That can be very helpful when you see an unexpected increase from one billing cycle to the next.

Surprising facts about leaks:

  • One in 10 homes has a leak that wastes more than 90 gallons per day.
  • A leaking faucet can waste up to 19 gallons a day – or 7,000 gallons a year.  Just one drop per second for a year adds up to 180 showers.
  • For Louisville Water customers, the average excess charges on a bill from leaks is $500.

 Small leaks add up.

Small undetected water leaks in your home can quickly add up! A leak the width of a pencil can waste up to 222,000 gallons of water in a month, leaving you with a water bill of over $2,100. That’s water you didn’t even use.


What causes leaks in plumbing?

Toilets, faucets, showerheads, irrigation systems, and more. Watch this video and learn how to search for common leaks.

To find out if you have a leak, you may want to start with your toilet.

Toilet Leak Test

  1. Remove the toilet tank lid.
  2. Place 10 ten drops of food coloring in the tank (red or green work best).
  3. Replace the lid.
  4. Do not flush the toilet for the rest of the night.
  5. Check the toilet bowl the next morning.  If the food coloring shows up in the bowl, you have a leak that needs to be repaired.

Other places to look:

  • Check your dishwasher and clothes washer for drips or stains underneath or behind the appliances.
  • Replace worn gaskets and washers on indoor and outdoor faucets.
  • Check sprinkler systems for damaged sprinkler heads and leaks.