Water leaks are costly, but it’s not just the cost of the water that’s wasted. It’s the loss of water which will impact the long-term sustainability of a precious commodity for us all.

We are here to help you identify any leaks you may have. Your business is liable for any leaks on your internal and underground pipework. If they go unnoticed, you may be liable for the costs of the wasted water and you may not be able to recover those costs.

So if you think you have a leak, act now.

How do I know if I’ve got a leak?

There are several signs to look out for:

Outside areas with constantly wet patches.

Unusually high
water bills.

Dampness and a smell in your premises.

Low water
pressure.

If you have an obvious leak on your premises, you should contact us straight away. We offer two services which can help you find the location of the leak for your team to fix, or a complete solution to find and fix the leak. You can find out more information here.

Stop tap test

First, locate your meter. Your site may have multiple meters but you should be locating your main meter. The main meter is normally in the footpath outside/close to the boundary of the premises where the water enters the site.

Open the meter chamber and bail out any surface water that may have collected in the chamber so that the dials are visible to record meter readings.

Close up of a water meter

Turn off all water-using devices within your premises and let your colleagues know to not use any of these devices whilst you carry out this step.

Now go back to the meter and check the dials. If they are still moving then you most likely have a leak. The next few steps will help you narrow it down in location.

A person washing their hands under a running water tap

Locate your internal stop tap (also known as stop cock). This is normally positioned where the service pipe enters the building. Close the stop tap by turning it clockwise.

Note that taps can become stuck after long periods of disuse. If the tap is difficult to turn, do not force it as it might break. Call a plumber for assistance.

This will prevent any water from being used inside your premises. You should make sure to let colleagues know you have done this so they don’t think there is a water outage.

Diagram of pipes beneath restaurant

Once the stop tap is turned off. Go back to the meter and look at the dials. If the dials are still moving after the stop tap has been closed, you most likely have a leak on the supply pipe that goes from the meter to the stop tap. If the dials move when the stop tap is open, and no water devices are being used, then you have a leak inside your premises.

To understand the volume of loss, take a meter reading and record the time of day.

Keep the stop tap closed and take a second reading an hour later. Subtract the first reading from the second to give you the volume of water lost per hour from any underground leakage in cubic meters.

Close up of a water meter

If you've followed these steps and have confirmed a leak on your premises, you should contact us straight away. We offer two services which can help you find the location of the leak for your team to fix, or a complete solution to find and fix the leak. You can find out more information here.

Contact us

Burst water pipe spraying water into a hole