Water Leak Detection

Houses With an Inside Water Meter

  • Turn off all the faucets in the house.
  • Check the water meter to see if the flow detector is moving. The flow detector is a small black triangle or a small red dial on the water meter. Check to see if it is moving.
  • If the flow detector moves, then stops, then moves again, this is a good indication that the toilet valve is leaking or that there may be a very small leak.
  • If the flow detector moves slowly, this is a good indication that there is a small leak.
  • If the flow detector moves rapidly, this is a good indication that there is a break in the water line. Check for soggy areas in the yard or under the house.
  • If a leak is indicated but the location of the leak is not evident or the homeowner is unable to fix the leak, contact a professional such as a plumber who specializes in leak detection and repair.
  • After the repair is completed, call the Allegany County Tax and Utility Office to discuss the possibility of a one time only leak adjustment on your bill.

Houses With an Outside Water Meter

The Allegany County Utilities Division will check your water meter.

Contact Information

Water meters do not register water flow unless water passes through the meter.

Water Loss

7.48 gallons: 1 cubic foot

  • Leaking Toilet at 1/2 gallon per minute (GPM): 21,600 gallons per month
  • Drip Irrigation System at 1 GPM: 43,200 gallons per month
  • Watering the Garden for 2 Hours at 5 GPM: 18,000 gallons per month
  • Watering the Garden for 2 Hours at 10 GPM: 36,000 gallons per month
  • Unattended Watering Hose for 1 Night at 10 GPM: 5,400 gallons per month
  • Stuck Ice Maker at 2 GPM: 86,400 gallons per month
  • Stuck Check Valve in Washing Machine for 30 Minutes: 240 gallons
  • Stuck Float Valve in Watering Trough at 5 GPM: 216,000 gallons per month
  • Broken Service Line for 1 Night at 15 GPM: 8,100 gallons
  • Broken Service Line for 1 Day at 5 GPM: 21,600 gallons
  • Broken Service Line for 1 Week at 15 GPM: 151,200 gallons
  • Broken Service line for 1 Month at 15 GPM: 648,000 gallons

Water Use

Allegany County customers average14,000 gallons per quarter in water use.

  • 1 Bath: 42 gallons
  • 1 Shower: 17 gallons
  • Wash 1 Load of Clothes: 45 gallons
  • Flush 1 Toilet: 3 gallons