Fix a Leak

If you suspect or have been notified about a possible leak, first use the meter to isolate whether there is any flow when the water to the dwelling(s) and any outdoor taps or irrigation systems is turned off. If there is flow, there may be a leak in the service line, and the SCRD will help determine whether that possible leak is happening inside or outside the property line. Please contact us at infrastructure@scrd.ca with details about your property and the steps you have taken to isolate the leak.

For help with accessing and reading the water meter servicing your property:

• Watch this 1-minute video on how to read a water meter.
• Review the following instruction sheet.

SCRD staff record consumption information every month by driving throughout the Sunshine Coast with equipment that picks up the radio-frequency signals from the water meters.

Per Bylaw 778, no person may, at any time or in any manner, obstruct access to any hydrant, valve, curb stop, water meter or other fixture connected to SCRD water systems or connections.

A water leak can be as small as a dripping tap or as big as a burst water line. If the leak location isn’t evident, it can take some investigating to isolate the leak. Some telltale signs of a leak include dripping and the sound of hissing water when the water connections are turned off.

To begin, check your taps, toilets, and appliances for evidence of a leak. Take a look in crawlspaces, where water can pool. Be sure to also check any outdoor water connections and irrigation systems on the property. Sometimes it helps to listen at night, when it might be a little quieter.

If you can’t find any obvious signs of the leak, you can use the water meter servicing your property to help isolate the leak. Property owners can check the water meter at any time; if there is a “water tap” icon on the display, water is being used continuously 24 hours per day. Click here for instructions on opening the meter box and reading the meter.

BC Building Code regulations do not require builders or owners to provide plans showing the location of water supply lines on a property, so the SCRD rarely has this information on file. If you are purchasing a property on the Sunshine Coast, it is good practice to ask the developers, or previous owners, for any information or drawings they may have that indicate pipe locations and connections. If you already own a property, a professional plumber can often help determine the location of pipes and connection points.

Here are 8 steps to isolating a water leak.

1.  Before checking the meter, make sure all taps and water-using appliances inside and outside the house or building are turned off.

2. Lift the lid off the meter box. (Take care not to pry up or tamper with the silver disc embedded in the lid – you are just lifting the lid itself.) Then, flip open the black cover on the meter display, which is light-activated – you may need a flashlight to “wake it.” Check for a water tap icon: if it is on steadily, the meter is detecting continuous water flow. If it is flashing, water is being used more than 12 hours/day, and if it is off, there is no continuous use.

3. Shut off the main water connection to the home or building.

4. Check the meter display (see image below)

• If the RATE is greater than 0, the leak is between the shut off point and the water meter. (i.e. somewhere along the water service line that runs to the home or building)
• If the RATE = 0, the leak is past the shut off point (i.e. an indoor or outdoor water connection at the house or building such as a tap, toilet or irrigation system). Go to step 5.

5. If the leak is past the shut off point, turn the main water connection back on.

6. Through a process of elimination, you can identify the source of the leak. Shut off the water connection to a tap or fixture (only one), then check the water meter to determine if you have isolated the leak.

7. To know if you have found the leaky culprit, check the water meter display:

• If the RATE = 0, the water connection that is off is the cause of the leak
• If the RATE is greater than 0, the water connection that is off is not the cause of the leak.

8. Shut off another water connection and check the water meter display again. Repeat for all water connections inside and outside the house or building until the meter RATE reads 0.00.

The water meter servicing your property can help you determine the size of the leak. Before checking the meter, make sure all taps and water-using appliances inside and outside the house or building are turned off.

• Access the water meter display. Check that the water tap icon is present to confirm that a leak is being detected. If there is no water tap icon, there is no leak.
• The size of the leak can be determined by observing the RATE displayed when all taps and water-using appliances are off at the property. The RATE displays the real time water use in either litres per minute, or cubic meter per minute.
• Note, during low flow, the flow indicator will be flashing and the RATE display will switch between showing 0 and another number greater than 0 (e.g. 0.32 LPM, 0.00056 M3 per minute). This indicates that the size of the leak is within that range.

If you are unable to safely access your water meter or have any questions about reading the water meter, email infrastructure@scrd.ca for assistance.

The water meter can help determine if the water leak has been fully resolved. If you can safely access the water meter, check the display for a water tap icon:

• If there is no water tap icon on the meter display, this means you do not have a leak.
• If a water tap icon is flashing, you may have resolved the leak. Check back in 48 hours. If the leak is fully resolved, the water tap icon will disappear. If it is still flashing, the meter is detecting an intermittent leak.
• If a solid water tap icon is present, the meter is still detecting continuous flow, which indicates a possible leak.

Meters are read across the Sunshine Coast early each month, capturing consumption for the previous month. Depending on when the repair was made, if the meter still detected a total of 15 consecutive days of continuous flow between reads, a letter or notification may still have been generated for your property.

If an account holder experiences abnormal water consumption due to an underground leak in the main service line or the involuntary activation of a fire suppression system, they may apply to the Regional District for a billing adjustment using the approved application form and by paying the applicable fee.

Note: The Main Service Line is the underground water supply line between the water meter and the residence or building(s).

For details on how to apply for an adjustment, contact the Utility Billing Department at utilitybilling@scrd.ca or phone 604-885-6885.

Sometimes water meter boxes can get covered up by leaves or overgrown plants. Water meters are often closer to the roadway than the house. Try walking around the front of your property, or near the road, looking out for a plastic or metal meter box lid. You may also see a 5-inch diameter pipe with a metal cap, marking the water service connection and curb stop (the shut off valve owned by the SCRD).

If you are unable to find the water meter servicing your property, SCRD Maps  can help find where the service connection is.

• Open SCRD Maps
• Click on the ‘Layers” tab in the bottom left corner
• Turn on the “Property Information” then “SCRD Utilities” Layers
• Enter your address in the search bar at the top right
• A blue X on the map will show were the water service connection is. The water meter should be nearby

Still unable to locate the water meter? Email infrastructure@scrd.ca for assistance.

Yes. Maintenance of all water piping and fixtures beyond the water meter is the responsibility of the property owner. Specifically, per Bylaw 778, all water pipes and appurtenances past the curb stop, located on private property to the inlet coupling of the water meter, from the outlet coupling of the water meter to the premises, are deemed to be private waterworks, and are not the responsibility of the SCRD to maintain and repair.

Even minor water leaks can grow unexpectedly and have the potential to cause costly damage to your property, as well as to neighboring properties. The SCRD works with property owners to communicate leak information and support troubleshooting towards a resolution. Properties with unresolved water leaks of increasing volume that are impacting neighboring properties or SCRD water systems can be issued a water service suspension notice in accordance with SCRD Water Rates and Regulations Bylaw 778.

No. Government organizations at every level must maintain an ‘arms-length’ approach from making recommendations for service providers such as plumbers or other tradespeople that could present a conflict of interest or other liability concerns.
For example:

• The SCRD could be held liable if a recommended tradesperson performed substandard work or caused damage
• As a government entity, the SCRD must remain impartial. To maintain neutral, we cannot recommend specific tradespeople
• The SCRD acts as a regulator for the purposes of building inspections; it would be a conflict of interest to inspect work completed by a tradesperson recommended by our staff

Need help finding a plumber or contractor?

Many property owners find that asking at local building supply stores, checking the local newspaper, conducting an online search, or checking local social media groups can provide helpful recommendations for companies that can assist with leak detection and remediation.

Toilets are a common cause of leaks. Find out how to test for a toilet leak in three easy steps in this video.

Taking proactive steps to prevent water leaks is an important part of water stewardship. It is good practice to check water shut-off valves and water-using appliances every year to ensure plumbing is in good working order.

If you only visit the Sunshine Coast seasonally, make a plan for preventing leaks in your absence. Click here for some tips on preventing leaks in your home.