Regular testing catches water leaks

Carterton District Council operations manager Garry Baker (left) and Ross Beckett, managing director of Detection Services Wellington are on the hunt for leaks. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

The volume of water lost through leaks has dropped by almost 80 per cent in Carterton since 2007.

Recent leak detection reports from the Carterton District Council show that 33 leaks were identified throughout the town, 20 of which were council leaks and 13 of which were residential.

This works out to be an estimated leakage of about 75,160cu metres per year, a 79 per cent reduction on the 362,445cu metres lost in 2007 when 113 leaks were found.

A council leak is defined as being after the toby/meter, or on the mains. The testing, which took place at about 2400 residential properties, was conducted using acoustic leak detection instruments.

Carterton District Council operations manager Garry Baker said the results were "very good" and showed the benefits of regular checks.

"I think it's the fact that we are repairing our leaks and doing it every four years -- the first time we did it, it had never been done."

With the water allowance now reduced from 300cu metres to 225cu metres a year, checking for leaks was even more important, Mr Baker said.

"A lot of the leaks don't come to the surface and people don't even know that they've got leaks so that's why I always stress to them to check."

People were not charged for exceeding the allowance with their first leak, but could expect to be charged after that, Mr Baker said. Meter readings, which were done twice a year, could also reveal leaks, he said. With summer approaching, it was likely water restrictions would be in place by Christmas.