Water Leaks

Where to Look for Water Leaks

  • The toilet tank may have a silent leak. Drop a little food coloring in the tank, wait 10 minutes without flushing, and see if the color appears in the bowl. If you do see color in the bowl, then you have a leak.
  • Check for moist spots around indoor plumbing fixtures, under the house, and around outdoor plumbing.
  • Replace worn washers in faucets and shower heads. A little drip wastes many gallons each day.

Additional Information

Learn more about how you can help the City of Beaverton's water conservation efforts.

How Much Water Does Your Leak Waste?

Through a Hole Size of:
Gallons Per Month Wasted
1/4"Not to scale 1/4 inch blue circle indicating water loss due to leaking plumbing fixtures.400,000
3/16"Not to scale 3/16 inch blue circle indicating water loss due to leaking plumbing fixtures.225,000
1/8"Not to scale 1/8 inch blue circle indicating water loss due to leaking plumbing fixtures.100,000
1/6"Not to scale 1/6 inch blue circle indicating water loss due to leaking plumbing fixtures.25,000
1/32"Not to scale 1/32 inch blue circle indicating water loss due to leaking plumbing fixtures.6,300

Pressure: 60 lb

Through a leaky faucet

Graphic of dripping faucet.Graphic of dripping faucet.Graphic of dripping faucet.
60 Drops / Minute =
2.082 Gallons / Year		90 Drops / Minute =
3,123 Gallons / Year		120 Drops / Minute =
4.165 Gallons / Year

Toilet Leaks:

  • A running toilet can waste 2-5 gallons of water per minute.
  • A silent leak in a toilet can waste up to 7,000 gallons per month.