Water leaks

We repair water leaks from the water supply system to (and including) your water meter.

If you notice a water leak on public property, such as a leak on the road or a burst water main, please call us on 07 3412 3412 as soon as possible. We will arrange for a crew to fix the leak.

Water leaks that come from water pipes and fittings on the property side of the water meter connection are the responsibility of the property owner.

Checking for leaks on your property

To check if you have a leak, please follow the steps below. 

  1. You will need to locate and read your water meter, to find out how to read your meter, please download our Water meters and water leaks factsheet (PDF 550 KB).
  2. Turn off all internal taps, appliances and irrigation systems that use water.
  3. Leave the water meter stop tap turned on.
  4. If any dials are moving, this suggests water is passing through the water meter and that you have a leak.
  5. If you can’t see the dials turning, you may have a slow leak. To check this, write down the water meter reading. 
  6. Wait at least one hour, then read your water meter again. Remember not to use any water while you wait.
  7. If the reading has changed, there could be a water leak. Call a licensed plumber to find and repair the leak.

How to read your water meter and check for leaks video transcript

For further information on Concealed Leaks please see Concealed Leak Remissions.

Checking for toilet leaks

It's easy to check whether your toilet is leaking. The sound of the toilet constantly filling is one sign.

Slow leaks that you can’t hear can form in the toilet cistern (the part of the toilet that holds the flush water). You can check for slow leaks in the cistern using food colouring. To find out if you have a slow leak:

  1. Remove the lid of the toilet cistern.
  2. Drop about 4 to 5 drops of food colouring in the toilet cistern – a dark colour such as blue or red is best.
  3. Put the toilet cistern lid back on and wait for 20 to 30 minutes. Don’t flush the toilet while you wait.
  4. Check the toilet bowl. If the water is clear, there is no leak. If the water has changed colour, there is a leak.
  5. Do this test with all the toilets in your house. This is important because you might have a slow leak in more than one toilet.
  6. IMPORTANT: Please flush the toilet as soon as the test is complete because food colouring may stain the cistern.

We recommend that you regularly check for slow leaks in toilets.

How can I prevent leaks?

Preventing leaks in your home could save you money. Here are some simple ways to prevent leaks:

  • Don’t plant large trees over pipes that run through your property. Their roots may damage the pipes.
  • Don’t plant large trees near your swimming pool. Roots can cause cracks and leaks in pools. Please speak to your local nursery about suitable plants.
  • Inspect your pool regularly for cracks and signs of leaks.
  • Service automatic watering systems (such as irrigation systems) regularly and check for leaks.
  • Turn taps off gently to lengthen the life of washers.
  • If you have a water hammer problem, install water hammer arrestors. By reducing shock, these help to extend the life of affected pipes.

Ensure all building and renovation work is undertaken by a licensed professional.