Plumbing Tips

Leaks are often the culprit for unexplained increased consumption, and toilet leaks are the most common. A toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water in a single billing period. Repairing a toilet leak is usually easy and relatively inexpensive to repair.

To check for a leak, remove the top of the tank behind the bowl and put 3-4 drops of food coloring in the tank water. Don't flush the toilet for an hour or more if possible. Check the water in the toilet bowl, and if the bowl water has been colored with the food coloring, then you have a leak. This type of leak is usually easy to repair by replacing the flapper assembly. if this does not work, consult a plumber.

Another leak that is common is a "leaky"faucet whether it is inside your home or at an outside faucet.

In order to determine if you have a water leak, read your water meter. Write the reading down and go back and re-read meter approximately 15-20 minutes later and see if any of the numbers on the meter have moved. There is also a leak indicater on most meters which is located in the center of the meters. If leak indicator is moving and no water is being used, there is a leak somewhere. If there is a cut-off valve at the house, cut water off at cut-off and go back to see if meter is still moving. If so, the leak is in your water line. If not, the leak is probably somewhere in your house.

Water costs money...don't waste it!
A dripping faucet or fixture can waste 3 gallons a day...
a total of 1095 gallons a year.
Conserve water and save money!

Water per quarter at 60 psi water pressure

Diameter of stream		Gallons	Cubic Feet	Cubic Meters
	1/4"	1,181,500	158,000	4,475
	3/16"	666,000	89,031	2,521
	1/8"	296,000	39,400	1,115
	1/16"	74,000	9,850	280

Installing a Water Pressure Reducing Valve

Because of Old Gainesboro Road Utility District’s geographical area, water main pressures can range from 20 PSI to 200 PSI. If pressure is checked by plumber and found to be above sixty pounds (60), COUD recommends that pressure regulators be installed on the Customer’s side of meter in order to protect service lines and appliances. Pressure regulators protects household appliances and increases water conservation.

Any water pressure in excess of 60 pounds at the meter should be regulated by the installation of a pressure regulator. Most customers need to install a pressure regulator in order to avoid excess pressure on the service line and plumbing connections. We recommend that these regulators be installed on the customer's side of the meter as indicated on the diagram below. This is a voluntary installation and the cost is the customer's and/or owner's expense. These regulators may be purchased wherever plumbing supplies are sold. If you have any questions on this, your plumber can check your pressure before your service line is connected.

Click here for an image of the procedure (requires Acrobat reader).

For more information, contact our office