Council is alerting 65 property owners in the Methven, Mt Somers and Mayfield areas that they might have a leaking water pipe.

The properties have been red flagged because of data collected from water meters.

Infrastructure and Open Spaces Group Manager Neil McCann said routine water meter reading was a good way to identify potential leaks and the letters were sent to properties consuming more than a cubic metre of water per day.

“If a continuous flow of water has been recorded through the meter over a 24-hour period it raises a warning flag, and that would suggest a leak somewhere on the property.

“It could be as simple as a washer in a toilet cistern needs replacing.”

Water meters installed at Mayfield, Mt Somers and Methven also helped identify leaks in Council’s own pipe networks, as well as on private property.

Council also uses special acoustic equipment to listen for leaks in its pipe networks. In recent months operators identified 256 leaks in the Tinwald, Hinds, Rakaia and Methven area – 105 leaks were on its public network and 151 on private land. Letters have already been sent to those property owners.

Mr McCann said any leak in private pipework was the customer’s responsibility and should be repaired as soon as possible to reduce water being wasted and to prevent damage on property and buildings.

“Sometimes the leaks are obvious, but other times you will need a plumber to help find the leak.”

People who receive letters about water leaks can go to Council’s website to find information about how to read a water meter and find advice on locating leaks.

Council will do a follow-up reading in a month and advise if water use has changed.

If you want to discuss your onsite water leakage issue, or advise of any completed repairs, please contact us by email info@adc.govt.nz with the subject line “Water leak” or call customer services on 03 307 7700.