Hidden Water Leaks Can Go Unnoticed Until the Bill Arrives

Free online calculator helps homeowners estimate unexplained water use before losses add up

SEATTLE, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A July 2026 report about a Phoenix homeowner's $2,777 water bill highlights how hidden leaks and delayed billing can leave households unaware of mounting water use. Simply Leak Detection is encouraging homeowners to check their meters and use its free Water Leak Rate Calculator to investigate unexpected flow. Following Imagine a Day Without Water on October 15, the company is highlighting a practical way homeowners can reduce unnoticed water loss.

Arizona's Family reported that Cameron Green's 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 was overall consumption, not a measurement of the leak alone.

Homeowners do not have to wait for their next bill to look for warning signs. A meter that continues to register water use when fixtures, irrigation and water-using appliances are off can help reveal a problem that otherwise goes unnoticed.

The calculator uses two meter readings and elapsed time to estimate the rate of water use. Available online to homeowners anywhere, it provides a starting point for deciding what to investigate next. It does not identify a leak's location or cause.

"Every homeowner should know where their water meter is, how to shut off their water in an emergency, and how to recognize a possible leak when the meter moves with no water in use. Knowing these basics helps homeowners take action before a leak leads to significantly higher water bills or expensive damage to their home," said Lincoln Spencer, owner of Simply Leak Detection.

How to check for unexpected water use

Stop all indoor and outdoor water use, including automatic irrigation and appliances. Record the meter reading and time, wait at least five minutes without using water, then take a second reading. Enter the 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 qualified professional; visible leaks or active water damage need prompt attention regardless of the result.

Try the free Water Leak Rate Calculator at simplyleakdetection.com/water-leak-rate-calculator/.

About Simply Leak Detection

Simply Leak Detection locates leaks for homes and businesses across Greater Seattle and the Puget Sound region. The company uses non-invasive detection techniques to help avoid exploratory yard digging and unnecessary openings in walls.

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Homeowner resource: EPA WaterSense Detect and Chase Down Leaks checklist (PDF)

Media contact: Lincoln Spencer, Simply Leak Detection | (253) 800-1412 | simplyleakdetection.com

SOURCE Simply Leak Detection