Do It Yourself System Leaks Page

HOW TO DETERMINE IF THE LEAK YOU SEE
IS IN YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Sometimes it’s obvious, the water is leaking right near one of those round green “things” in your yard or at a sprinkler head. Other times, the ground is very wet or water is running down the street.

In the not-so-obvious situations, start your search at the water meter. Water meters are the connection source from the city water supply to the house service line. Water meters register movement of water once the water passes through the meter.

A leak can be on the supply side to the meter (the city will fix it) or on your side of the supply to your home (your responsibility to have repaired).

Make sure all water-using devices inside the home are turned off (washing machine, dishwashers, showers, no toilets running, etc.).

Remove the water meter lid and check the meter indicators for movement. Movement indicates water is traveling through the meter. (If you are unable to remove the meter lid, contact your city water department for assistance.)

To determine if the movement is due to a leak in the irrigation system, keep all household water-using devices off and turn off the double check also referred to as the backflow device. (see “How To Shut-Off the Water to Your Sprinkler” section on this website).

If the water meter indicator stops moving, chances are there may be a leak in the sprinkler system.

water meters