Delivering Safe Drinking Water to the City of Grandview Since 1935
Water is one of our most valuable resources. Small leaks, seasonal maintenance, and a few simple habits can make a big difference in reducing water waste and protecting your home.
Check for Hidden Leaks
Some of the biggest sources of water waste are leaks that go unnoticed.
Toilets
A leaking toilet is one of the most common causes of water loss in the home. In many cases, the problem is a worn or poorly fitting flapper inside the tank.
To test for a toilet leak:
- Place 10 drops of blue food coloring in the toilet tank
- Replace the lid and wait about 15 minutes without flushing
- If colored water appears in the bowl, you likely have a leak
If the flapper is worn, replacing it is usually an inexpensive and simple fix. After replacing it, repeat the dye test to confirm the leak has stopped. If the problem continues, the flush valve may also need to be replaced.
Even a silent toilet leak can waste anywhere from 30 to 500 gallons of water per day.
Other Common Leak Areas
It is also a good idea to routinely inspect other areas around your home for water loss, including:
- Indoor and outdoor faucets with worn washers, gaskets, or seals
- Water heaters
- Furnace-mounted humidifiers
- Refrigerator ice-makers or other water-connected appliances
Catching a small leak early can help prevent unnecessary water waste and avoid more costly repairs later.
Cold Weather
Don’t let cold weather catch you unprepared. Take precautions now to avoid potential winter in-home disasters.
- Locate your master shutoff valve and mark it with bright paint or a large, bright tag and inform family members of its location. For any plumbing problem, this valve will stop the flow into the home.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and faucets.
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas.
- Leave a pencil-lead-thin stream of water flowing during extremly cold weather as well as leaving the cabinet doors open to allow the heat of the house to keep those pipes warm.
- Broken pipes – frozen meter? If your pipes do break and water is leaking in your home, or if you think your meter is frozen, the District will dispatch service personnel to your house and shut the water off free of charge.
For emergencies Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. call (816) 761-5421. After hours emergency (816) 966-0551.
Information on other ways that you can help conserve water can be found at: Water.EPA.gov
Save Water, Protect Our Future
Discover simple ways to conserve water at home and in the community.