Seattle – October 19, 2026 -- Homeowners can now check for hidden water leaks in about five minutes using two meter readings and a free online Water Leak Rate Calculator from Simply Leak Detection.
A $2,777 bill covered seven months of use
The company points to a July 2026 Arizona's Family report on Phoenix homeowner Cameron Green. His bill covered seven months and 344,000 gallons of water use after a city-owned transmitter stopped reporting readings. Green said an underground leak, invisible from the surface, contributed to the high usage.
The reported total reflects overall consumption, not the leak alone.
A moving meter can reveal a problem
A meter that keeps registering water use while fixtures, irrigation and water-using appliances are all off can reveal a problem that would otherwise go unnoticed. Homeowners do not have to wait for the next bill to look for it.
The calculator takes two meter readings and the time between them to estimate the rate of water use. It is available online to homeowners anywhere. It does not identify a leak's location or cause. It gives a starting point for deciding what to investigate next.
Lincoln Spencer, owner of Simply Leak Detection, said every homeowner should know where the water meter is, how to shut off water in an emergency, and how to recognize a possible leak when the meter moves with no water in use.
How to run the test
- Stop all indoor and outdoor water use, including automatic irrigation and appliances.
- Record the meter reading and the time.
- Wait at least five minutes without using water, then take a second reading.
- Enter both readings and times in the calculator.
A short test may miss slow or intermittent leaks. EPA WaterSense recommends comparing meter readings over two hours with no water use.
Unexpected flow warrants further investigation with a water utility or a qualified professional. Visible leaks or active water damage need prompt attention regardless of the test result.