Received a Leak Notification?

As a courtesy, the RDCK monitors meter data and may notify customers when their water meter registers continuous flow over an extended period. These notifications are intended to alert property owners to potential leaks or unintended water use.

The responsibility for investigating and resolving potential leaks on private property rests with the property owner.

For properties billed on a flat-rate basis rather than water consumption, a leak notification does not have any direct financial impact on your water bill. However, unexplained continuous flow may indicate a leak that could worsen over time and result in property damage or unnecessary water loss.

Step 1: Sign Up for EyeOnWater®

The first step in any leak investigation is to register for EyeOnWater^®, which provides access to your meter data online.

EyeOnWater^® is a free online service that allows metered customers to review their water consumption, identify unusual usage patterns and set up leak alerts.

To register, visit https://EyeOnWater.ca. You will need your five-digit metered account number beginning with “6” and the postal code associated with your water account.

EyeOnWater^® allows you to view water usage data (updated twice daily), monitor consumption in 15-minute intervals, track changes after isolating sections of your plumbing, and monitor water use over time. This information can help identify continuous water use and determine whether troubleshooting efforts have resolved a potential leak.

Step 2: Check for Common Sources of Leakage

Before assuming the problem is with the meter, perform a thorough inspection of your property

• • Outdoor plumbing: Walk your property and check hose connections, frost-free hydrants, irrigation systems and underground water lines. Look for signs of wet ground or unusually green vegetation. The Kootenay region can have very sandy or gravelly soil and small leaks may not be visible as water infiltrates easily.

• • Indoor plumbing: Inspect taps, fixtures, water heaters, water softeners, filtration equipment, crawl spaces and basements.

• • Toilets: Listen for running water and check for leaking flappers. A few drops of food colouring in the toilet tank can help identify leaks if colour appears in the bowl without flushing.

• • Agricultural water use: Inspect livestock waterers, float valves, irrigation controls and water lines supplying fields or outbuildings.

• • Unused plumbing: Check for old or abandoned water lines that may still be connected to the water supply.

Step 3: Isolate Sections of Your Private Plumbing

The most effective way to investigate continuous flow is to systematically isolate portions of your private distribution system.

1. Close a shutoff-valve serving a building, irrigation system, or other section of piping.
2. Record the exact date and time.
3. Leave the valve closed for at least one hour (provided doing so is safe and will not affect essential water needs)
4. After EyeOnWater^® updates, review the corresponding time period.
5. Determine whether water continued to flow through the meter during the isolation period.

If flow stops, the leak is likely within the isolated section. If flow continues, reopen the valve and test another section.

Common Misconceptions

The meter must be faulty: All installed meters are new, factory-tested devices that undergo quality control testing before deployment.

The meter connection is leaking: All meters received a quality control post installation inspection and were determined not to be leaking.

My meter is swapped with my neighbour’s: Meter installations are documented and verified during installation.

Why EyeOnWater^® is Important

The ability to view usage in 15-minute increments helps identify hidden leaks, irrigation system issues, running toilets, faulty water treatment equipment, and other unintended water use. The data helps property owners verify the effectiveness of isolation testing and narrow down potential leak locations.

Need Further Assistance?

If you have reviewed your EyeOnWater^® data and completed isolation testing but are still unable to identify the source of continuous flow, consider contacting a licenced plumber, irrigation system specialist or leak detection specialist.

Sign up here: RDCK Water Notification Service 

The RDCK uses a notifications service powered by Voyent Alert. Users will receive both Emergency and RDCK Water System notifications based on the location entered when signing up. The service offers users a choice of how to receive notification: mobile app, email, SMS text message, or text to landline voice call. Voyent Alert is FREE, easy to use, 100% Canadian, and totally anonymous.

RDCK water system customers will receive water system related notifications that include: water quality advisories, maintenance activities, water conservation measures, and other public notices. Once registered, users will automatically be subscribed to receive notifications sent out by Emergency Services, as well as RDCK water system specific notifications, Users are able to customize which notifications they would like to receive within the “My Topics” tab, and can subscribe to receive notifications for multiple locations throughout the RDCK.

If you need assistance in signing up, contact the RDCK Water Services Office at 250.428.2612  or 1.833.233.2662.

Click HERE to see Boil Water Notices, Water Quality Advisories, Water Conservation Measures, and Maintenance Notices currently on RDCK water systems.

Water, Water, Everywhere….
The Regional District currently owns and operates 18 water systems. Locations can be seen on the RDCK Water Systems map.

For more information on RDCK water systems please visit the RDCK Water Systems webpage.

For information on water systems not owned/operated by the RDCK, visit the Interior Health Interactive Drinking Water Advisory Map to search the entire Interior Health region for current drinking water advisories.  You can also learn about water suppliers, types of advisories and the reasons for the advisories.