Some helpful information, revised January, 2023

  1. The EAST LOWNDES WATER ASSOCIATION’S water rate is: 0 to 1,000 gallons $12.00 (minimum bill) and $6.00 per 1,000 gallons thereafter plus any applicable taxes.
  2. Every customer has different water usage requirements. The typical average daily usage is approximately 50-60 gallons per person in the home (excluding irrigation, swimming pools, leaks, etc.). By recording daily meter readings about the same time each day, you can determine your water usage patterns and possible leaks. (Note your meter box location that will become covered with grass, dirt, leaves and enter it at your own risk.)
  3. The Association uses an Automatic Meter Reading system with data profiling documenting water usage every hour up to 30 months. (Reports are available upon request for a $50.00 fee.)
  4. The best step to begin looking for a possible water leak is at your water meter. Without using water, the leak indicator (small red sprocket near the center of the meter’s register) should not have any movement.
  5. In understanding the registration of your ¾ or 1-inch water meter; every revolution of the needle on the meter’s register is equal to ten U.S. gallons. Every number around the meter register is one gallon (the number to be used in the painted zero of the odometer). Every mark between the numbers around the meter register is one-tenth of one gallon. (Larger meters have different increments of registration.)
  6. If the meter needle on the meter register moves one mark (one-tenth of a gallon) in one minute continuously, this would equate to 144 gallons per day or 4,320 gallons in 30 day period being lost. This would be reflected in the amount of $25.92 above your normal monthly bill for each one-tenth of a gallon per minute being lost.
  7. Once you have determined you have a hidden water leak then it is a process of isolating zones with the meter left on.
  8. By turning off a valve (if installed) on the outside of the dwelling and the leak detector stops would suggest the leak is “not” in your service line from the meter to the dwelling but would be inside. (the opposite would be true if the leak detector continued to turn)
  9. Leaking Adaptors that connect the customer’s service line to the Association’s meter yoke are the customer’s responsibility.
  10. If the customer’s service line is leaking, it may not be easily detected because not all leaks come to the surface but follow field lines and other hidden escapes. Probing beside the leak can bring the water to the surface.
  11. The most common leak inside would be one or more commodes. (By placing dye or food coloring in the tank (water closet) and seeing the color show up in the bowl later indicates a problem.) Be aware that commodes can leak “intermittently”.
  12. Leaking faucets are obvious to detect, however, leaks under a concrete slab can be very hard to find. If the hot water line is leaking a warm spot on the floor may be felt. Using amplified listening devices (such as a stethoscope) may work. Specialty leak detection companies with sonar or infrared are available.
  13. Potential intermittent leaks could be: toilets, (automatic) sprinklers; hot water tank pop-off valves, swimming pool valves; livestock watering tanks.
  14. Check for outlying areas such as abandoned wells, extra users connected to your meter that may have a leak, forgotten lines or faucets in the yard or to outside buildings.
  15. Letting water run to prevent freezing can be costly in comparison to insulation and will not qualify for leak adjustments.
  16. Forgetting to turn off hoses and irrigation systems does not qualify for leak adjustments.
  17. Should the electronics of an AMR fail does not mean the mechanical part of the meter would not continue to register water use.
  18. The water meters are positive displacement meters that will not register without water passing through them. Meters do not “creep” but they will measure low flows if properly maintained.
  19. Water leaks on the Association’s side of the meter will not be registered or billed to the customer.
  20. If a hidden leak is detected and repaired promptly, then a leak adjustment may be given to customers qualifying with proper documentation one time per year.
  21. Water leaks will eventually happen to us all. If you have poor plumbing issues with reoccurring problems, you may want to monitor the leak detector and readings on a regular basis.
  22. The Association strives to maintain accurate water meters along with data profiling, however, the ownership of “Why is my bill so high?” is up to you “the user”.
  • Note: These points are just suggested information to save you money and not intended to be all-inclusive answers to all situations.

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