::

Knowing how to read your water meter is a very useful skill. Checking your meter periodically can help you to monitor your water usage and determine if you have a possible water leak. An in-depth guide as to how to read your water meter is now available. We suggest printing the guide and using the worksheet on the back in order to assist you.

 How To Read Your Water Meter

::

If a leak is detected, likely culprits are toilets and irrigation systems.

• Checking for toilet leaks

1. Put 3-5 drops of food coloring in the toilet tank.

2. After 1 hour, check the toilet bowl to see if colored water has escaped into it from the tank.

3. If you see colored water in the bowl, the toilet probably has a flapper leak. Replace or readjust the  flapper.

• Checking for irrigation leaks

1. Taller, greener vegetation or moss growing around the sprinkler heads are signs of a damaged or dirty valve. Clean and replace worn parts.

2. Wet spots, mud, and eroding soil may indicate a broken pipe. Dry spots in your lawn could also be a sign that a sprinkler is damaged. To locate the source of the leak, dig around the sprinkler.

3. Wet spots on pavement also indicate possible leaks. Watch your sprinklers to determine which one is showering the pavement. Turn off the water, and check the sprinkler head and riser. Sprinklers spouting geysers indicate broken sprinkler heads. Replace them.

::

A water bill adjustment may be approved for a leak outside the customer's control. An example of a qualifying leak would be a burst underground pipeline. To obtain a leak adjustment, the customer must submit a Leak Adjustment Request. The Leak Adjustment Request form can be downloaded by clicking the link below or can be obtained from the District office. Current leak adjustment policy states the customer may receive a credit of up to 75% of the cost of the water lost due to the leak, provided that the leak is repaired promptly after its discovery. The Leak Adjustment Request form along with receipts for repairs are to be mailed to Scotts Valley Water District, P.O. Box 660006, Scotts Valley, CA 95067-0006 or faxed to (831) 438-6235. Leak adjustment requests must be submitted no later than 30 days after the end of the billing period during which the leak was repaired. If your leak adjustment is approved the amount awarded will be credited to your account. We do not issue cash or check refunds. Please allow one full billing cycle (60 days) for your credit to process.

 Leak Adjustment Policy

 Leak Adjustment Request Form