Water bills higher than usual? You may have a leak

If your water bills have suddenly increased, you may be dealing with a water leak. This article will help you determine if you have a leak and guide you on what to do next.

Why are my water bills higher than usual?

If you've noticed a surge in your water bills along with increased water usage, you may have a leak on your supply. In such cases, you are responsible for identifying and repairing the leak.

How can I find out if I have a leak?

To check for a leak, follow these steps:

1. 1. Choose a time when all water appliances can be turned off, such as overnight when your business is closed.
   2. If safe to access, record your meter reading.
   3. Leave appliances off for at least 30 minutes and then take another meter reading.
   4. If the meter reading remains unchanged, it's unlikely you have a leak.
   5. If the reading has changed, you may have a leak.

Is it my responsibility to fix the leak?

Where your leak is located and identified will determine who is responsible for fixing it. As leaks can occur on pipework or fittings, you should read the tables below to identify who is responsible.

Responsibility for Leak Repair:

Pipework

Location	Responsibility
Water Mains	Water wholesaler's responsibility.
Communication Pipe	Water wholesaler's responsibility (within motorway areas).
Supply Pipe Serving a Single Property	Property owner's responsibility.
Shared Supply Pipe	Joint responsibility of all property owners supplied by the pipe.

 

Fittings

Location	Responsibility
Stop Tap (Motorway)	Water wholesaler's responsibility.
Stop Tap (Within Property Boundary)	Customer's responsibility (or wholesaler if within 1 meter of boundary).
Stop Tap (Inside a Building)	Customer's responsibility.
Water Meter (Motorway)	Water wholesaler's responsibility.
Water Meter (Within Property Boundary)	Water wholesaler's responsibility.
Water Meter (Inside a Building)	Water wholesaler's responsibility.

 

References to the stop tap includes the chamber and cover, and the water meter includes the chamber, cover and meter unions.

What should I do if I’m responsible for the repair? 

1. Contact a private plumber or your water network owner. 

2. Check your insurance policy, repair costs may be covered. 

3. If the leak source is unclear, Castle Water can refer you to trusted partners who specialize in sub-terrain leak detection. If your local plumber cannot locate the leak above ground, please contact us for assistance. 

 

What if the leak is on a shared water supply? 

If you share a supply pipe, all connected property owners are jointly responsible for arranging and covering the cost of repairs. 

Emergency leaks 

For emergency leaks, contact your Water Wholesaler immediately. You can find their contact details here.