Leak Detection and Water Use Monitoring
All water systems experience leaks
All water systems experience leaks. Aging pipes, joints, and service lines can allow water to escape over time, even in well‑maintained systems. This is a normal reality of municipal water systems and is not unique to Van Anda.
The goal is not to eliminate leaks entirely, but to detect them earlier, reduce losses, and respond efficiently.
Professional leak detection work (Velocity Water Services)
To better understand and reduce water loss, VAID previously engaged Velocity Water Services, a professional leak‑detection contractor.
Velocity’s work:
- identified hidden leaks that were not visible at the surface,
- provided a system‑wide baseline of water loss,
- allowed repairs to be prioritized where they would have the greatest impact.
This work significantly reduced overall water production and improved system performance.
How leak detection works today
As the water system has been upgraded, leak detection has shifted from periodic survey‑based work to continuous monitoring.
Leak detection is now built into routine system monitoring, rather than handled as a separate program.
Meters and continuous monitoring
As part of the Meter Pilot Project, water meters are being installed across the distribution system. These meters provide continuous information on water use, allowing potential leaks to be identified more quickly and accurately.
With meters in place:
- unusual or continuous water use can be detected sooner,
- total water production can be compared against measured use,
- leaks can be identified using real data instead of periodic surveys.
This approach improves response time and reduces the amount of treated water lost before an issue is detected.
Velocity’s work remains an important foundation, while meters now provide the day‑to‑day visibility needed to manage leaks proactively.
What this means for residents
Once meters are active, residents will be able to:
- view their own water use online,
- notice unexpected increases in consumption,
- identify possible leaks on private property earlier.
This information allows residents to address small problems before they become expensive or wasteful.
Ongoing system maintenance
Although there is no longer a standalone leak‑detection program, VAID continues to:
- monitor system performance daily,
- investigate abnormal readings or pressure changes,
- repair leaks as they are identified,
- and replace aging infrastructure through planned upgrades.
Leak reduction remains a priority, and metering allows this work to be done more efficiently and proactively.
General information on system leakage
All municipalities have aging water infrastructure that leaks to one degree or another.
In Van Anda, much of the ground is rock. This means water often drains downward instead of surfacing, making some leaks difficult to see.
Beyond mainline leaks, a significant portion of water loss comes from household leaks. Individually small leaks — when multiplied across many homes — can add up to a large volume of treated water loss.
Why leaks matter more today
Two key changes have increased the importance of leak control:
- the increasing cost of water treatment
- the limited daily capacity of the water treatment plant, which is occasionally reached
Reducing unnecessary water loss helps ensure reliable service for everyone.
What residents can do to help
Common sources of household water loss include:
- running toilets,
- leaking taps,
- faulty irrigation systems,
- leaking household service lines.
You can help by:
- repairing toilets that run continuously,
- fixing leaking fixtures or irrigation systems,
- shutting the tap off rather than relying on a hose nozzle.
A single leaky toilet can waste 300 gallons per day — over 73,000 gallons per year.
Water loss examples (illustrative)
| Leak Calculator | |||||
| Leak Diameter @ 100 PSI line pressure | Gallons Per Minute | Gallons Per Day | Gallons Per Year | Annual Cost at $0.0063 per gallon | |
| 1/16″ hole | 0.82 | 1,181 | 430,992 | $ 2,715 | |
| 1/8″ hole | 3.26 | 4,694 | 1,713,456 | $ 10,795 | |
| 3/16″ hole | 7.34 | 10,570 | 3,857,904 | $ 24,305 | |
| 1/4″ hole | 13.05 | 18,792 | 6,859,080 | $ 43,212 | |
| Other leaks | |||||
| Dripping faucet | 0.01 | 15 | 5,466 | $ 34 | |
| Leaking toilet | 0.50 | 720 | 262,800 | $ 1,656 | |
| 1/2″ x 50 ft hose: | |||||
| – Unattended water hose 1 night | 20 | 14,400 | 14,400 | $ 91 | |
| – Hose running 24/7 | 20 | 28,800 | 10,512,000 | $ 66,226 | |
| Broken water service line | 33 | 47,520 | 17,344,800 | $ 109,272 | |
| Stuck ice maker | 2 | 2,880 | 1,051,200 | $ 6,622 | |
| Stuck check valve in washing machine @ 30 mins per day | 8 | 240 | 87,600 | $ 551 | |
You can make a difference in helping to prevent loss of treated water.
Reporting a possible leak
If you suspect a leak on VAID infrastructure or your property, please contact us.
In summary
- All water systems have leaks
- Velocity provided critical baseline detection
- Meters now enable continuous monitoring
- Both VAID and residents play a role in reducing water loss
Controlling water leaks is like fire prevention – it’s everybody’s business.
Read about Leak Detection and Water Leaks on Private Property