This year, the utility has identified over 4,500 customers who have experienced higher-than-normal water usage, which often indicates water has been leaking out of sight somewhere on their property.
Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Experience, Katherine Gee, said hidden leaks could be invisible and silent, often going unnoticed until property damage or a costly water bill reveals the problem.
“Concealed leaks such as those underneath driveways, in walls or underground can cause property damage and waste thousands of litres of water each day which ultimately shows up on your water bill,” Ms Gee said.
“A customer had a concealed leak underneath their driveway, with plumbing repairs costing $1,300 and their Unitywater bill was nearly $9,000. We know how stressful these experiences can be and the best way to avoid a large bill is by doing regular, simple leak checks.
“There are a few signs you can look out for like damp or discoloured patches on walls and ceilings, squishy sections of gardens, patches of lawn greener and longer than the rest, or a pool level that seems to drop quickly even when it’s not sunny outside,” she said.
Customers who have repaired a concealed leak may be eligible for a one-off Concealed Leak Allowance to help offset some of the excess water costs.
For Unitywater’s complete list of ways to check for water leaks at home, see their guide at www.unitywater.com/sneaky-leaks
How to check for leaks:
1. Turn off all taps and appliances that use water.
2. Read your water meter and write down the numbers.
3. Don't use any water for one hour (not even a toilet flush!)
4. After an hour, go back and check the numbers.
5. If the numbers have changed, you may have a leak. Call a licensed plumber to investigate.
ENDS
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