Water Efficiency FAQs

How Can I Tell If I Have An Irrigation System Leak?

An unusually green or soggy area in the lawn may be an indication of an underground leak in your system.  In addition, a leaking sprinkler head may be a sign of a leaking zone valve.  Be sure that all sprinkler heads are in good working order.  If your meter's leak indicator turns when all appliances in the home are turned off, your sprinkler system may be leaking.  If you close the valve to your sprinkler system and the leak indicator stops turning,  that's a sure sign that there is a leak in a pressurized line leading to a zone valve or that a zone valve is not closing completely.

How Do I Check My Toilet For Leaks?

BexarMet has free toilet leak detection kits available for all of our customers. You may also simply place 4 or 5 drops of food coloring in the tank on the back of the toilet. Wait 15 minutes;  if the color shows up in the bowl, the toilet is leaking somewhere. Leaks in toilets are usually caused by old or faulty flush valves and flappers that are not seating properly, a bent or misaligned flush valve lift wire, or a corroded valve seat. If a leak is found around the base of the toilet where it sits on the floor, you may need to call a plumber.

How Can I Use My Water Meter To Detect a Leak?

1. Make sure all appliances that use water are turned off.
2. Turn off all taps and faucets.
3. Watch the leak detector indicator (small red or black dial) on the meter face for 1 to 2 minutes. If the leak detector has not moved after 1 to 2 minutes, it is a good possibility that there are no leaks between the meter and your home.
4. If the leak detector is turning, close all shut-off valves behind toilets, under sinks, in the laundry room and those attached to your outdoor irrigation system.
5. If the leak detector on the meter is still turning after everything has been turned off, you may have a leak in the water service line from the meter to your home and may need to consult a plumber for assistance and repairs.

Is There An Inexpensive Fix For Leaky Faucets?

Yes! Dripping faucets can usually be fixed by replacing the rubber o-ring or washer inside the valve.  Replacement washers and o-rings are inexpensive and can be purchased from most hardware stores.

How Can I Save Water During My Bath or Shower?

Showers can account for almost 17 percent of all indoor water use. Below are some suggestions for ways to save water during you shower/bath.

• Installing a low-flow showerhead with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.
• Take a shower instead of a bath.  Low flow showerheads usually use less water than a bath.
• Take quick showers or turn off the water while washing and back on again to rinse.
• Reduce the level of water by one or two inches if taking a bath.

How Can I Maximize Water Efficiency In The Kitchen?

Approximately 8 percent of water used in the home takes place in the kitchen. Simple adjustments can add up to great savings. Below are some water saving tips for your kitchen appliances!

• Consider purchasing a new water-saving dishwasher and save up to 25 percent. They are usually no more expensive than non-conserving models.
• Run your dishwasher when it is full to make the best use of water, energy and detergent.
• Use the appropriate water-level settings for the most efficient use of water.
• Cut down on rinsing before loading the dishwasher. Scrape dishes clean instead of rinsing them. There is usually no need to rinse unless they are heavily soiled. Most modern dishwashers do an excellent job of cleaning dishes, pots, and pans all by themselves.
• Remember, when used properly, dishwashers can be more efficient than hand washing.
• Install a low-flow faucet aerator and cut your faucet water use as much as 50 percent.
• Clean fruits and vegetables in a sink or pan partially filled with water rather than running water.
• Re-use the water that fruits and vegetables are washed in for watering houseplants.
• Fill the sink or a dish pan to wash and rinse dishes, instead of leaving the water faucet on.
• Soak pots and pans if hand-washing.
• Defrost food in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave rather than running water to thaw frozen foods.
• Chill water in the refrigerator for drinking instead of running the faucet to cool.
• Use one glass per person per day to cut down on dirty dishes.
• Use the garbage disposal less often. Start a compost pile and recycle your vegetable and fruit scraps.

How Much Water Does a Small Leak Waste?

With water pressure of 60 pounds per square inch (psi):

• A 1/4-inch continuous water leak will waste nearly 1.2 million gallons in 3 months!
• A 1/16-inch leak will waste 74,000 gallons in 3 months!
• A faucet leak can waste up to 3 gallons per day, or over 1000 gallons per year!

How Do I Winterize My Pipes?

Plan ahead to protect your pipes!  You need special tools for winterizing pipes:

• Foam insulation sleeves (use the correct diameter)
• Aluminum, electrical or duct tape
• Styrofoam or polyurethane caps for outdoor faucets
• Old towels, socks, rags or newspaper
• Wrapping your pipes…
• Wrap foam insulation round pipes that might be exposed to freezing temperatures
• Secure the insulation with electrical, aluminum or duct tape of choice

What Do I Do If My Pipes Burst?

If your pipes burst - don’t panic!! Simply turn off water supply valve on the house side of the water meter but remember not to tamper with the BexarMet shut off valve on the street side. Once you have turned off the water supply, open an outdoor faucet on the house side to release pressure

What If My Pipes Are Frozen, But Have Not Burst?

If your pipes are frozen remember to never thaw frozen pipes with open flames as you could cause the pipe to burst or worse! Instead, use a hair dryer or electric blanket to gently thaw a frozen pipe