Water Leaks
Consolidated Water District Troubleshooter
Cortlandt Consolidated Water District – Water Leaks
A small leak can be very costly.
How to check your meter to see if you have a leak:
Meters in the Town of Cortlandt are positive displacement meters. This means that water must push the chamber forward in order for the numbers (the reading) to advance. This is important to know if you are experiencing high water usage.
All water that flows through a meter, whether used or wasted, will be billed to the homeowner.
1. Turn Off All Water & Systems
Ensure all faucets, showers, and outdoor irrigation are closed. Crucially check local equipment like Water Softeners (regeneration cycles) and Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs).
Common Causes of High Water Usage
An unusually HIGH usage is commonly the result of one or all of the following:
- • A Leaking Toilet (#1): Can be constantly or intermittently running. The water leaks from the tank into the bowl and sometimes cannot be heard. You will not see any evidence of the leak but all your consumed water has gone down the drain.
- • Irrigation Sprinkler Heads & Underground Piping: Damaged sprinkler heads or cracked underground pipes usually remain underground and may not ever become visible anywhere on the ground surface.
- • A Failing Pressure Reducer: Can produce higher pressure and flow throughout your home. As a result leaks can develop from failing fixtures or pressure relief valves within your home.
- • Broken Service Lines: From meter pits to your home.
- • Broken Pipes: In crawl spaces.
- • Water Softener Malfunctions: Resulting in constant cycling.
- • Intentionally Running Water: To prevent freeze ups in winter.
- • Water Consumption During Summer Months: Typical water consumption increases during the summer months due to watering of lawns, gardening, and topping off of swimming pools.
Handy Tips To Conserve Water
Save Water!- • Take shorter showers
- • Do only full loads of wash
- • Run dishwasher only when fully loaded
- • Water lawn & garden as needed, early AM
| Diameter of Stream |
Gallons Wasted (3 Months) |
|---|---|
| 1/4" | 1,181,500 |
| 3/16" | 666,000 |
| 1/8" | 296,000 |
| 1/16" | 74,000 |
A continuous leak from a hole this size would, over a three month period, waste water in the amounts shown above.
Contact Information
Department of Environmental Services: Water Division
Chris Gross, Deputy Director
Billing Questions: 914-737-7676 Ext. 114
Emergency Service: 914-734-1026 (24 hour answering service)