How Much Is That Hidden Water Leak Costing You?

Turn off every tap and water-using appliance, then read your water meter. Wait at least 30 minutes without using any water and read it again. If the reading has gone up, water is flowing somewhere, which usually points to a leak.

Listen for the tank refilling when nobody has flushed, and watch for water trickling into the bowl. A common home check is to add a few drops of food colouring to the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. Colour showing up in the bowl means water is leaking past the flapper.

Fixed service, meter and basic charges are the same whether or not you have a leak. Only consumption charges, which are billed per cubic metre, go up when water is wasted, so only those are counted.

Usually, yes. Most Ontario utilities bill wastewater based on metered water use, even if the leaked water never reaches the sewer. Some bill wastewater on a share of water use, such as Peel Region at 85%. Homes on private septic systems are not billed for municipal wastewater.

Bills depend on meter readings, billing period length, estimated reads, rate changes during the period and charges this tool leaves out, such as fixed and stormwater charges. Where your utility uses price blocks, your actual usage also changes the result. Treat the number as an estimate.

Choose the option to enter your own rates and type in the water and wastewater consumption rates from your latest bill, in dollars per cubic metre. The calculator never substitutes a neighbouring community's rates.

Call right away if water is spraying, pooling, coming through a ceiling or wall, or if you can't find the source of unexplained water loss. Hidden leaks can damage drywall, flooring and foundations long before they show up on a bill.