Leak Cost Estimator
That dripping tap isn't just annoying - it's literally money flowing down the drain
Did You Know?
💧 Current Water Rates (2025/26)
Understanding what you pay for water in Bristol
Water Supply
Sewerage Service
Combined Total
1 cubic metre = 1,000 litres = 13 bathtubs = 250 toilet flushes = 4,000 cups of tea!
A typical person uses 142 litres daily. A family of 4 uses 207m³ yearly, costing approximately £916 annually (plus £130 standing charges).
£62.40 (water) + £68 (sewerage) = £130.40 fixed annual cost. Our calculator shows variable costs only.
The True Cost of "Just a Small Leak"
Annual costs at £4.42 per m³ (water supply + sewerage)
Slow Drip
1 drop every 3-5 seconds
Steady Drip
1 drop per second
Fast Drip
Multiple drops per second
Visible Trickle
Thin continuous stream
Small Stream
Pencil-width stream
Running Water
Constant flow (tap-like)
Leaking Toilet
Silent leak into bowl
💧 Calculate Your Leak Costs
See exactly how much water and money your leak is wasting
🔍 How to Detect Hidden Leaks
Professional techniques to find leaks before they become expensive
Water Meter Test
Turn off all water sources, then check your meter. If it's still moving, you have a leak.
- Turn off all taps and appliances
- Check your water meter reading
- Wait 1-2 hours without using water
- Check if the reading has changed
Toilet Leak Test
Use food coloring to detect if your toilet flapper is leaking.
- Add food coloring to toilet cistern
- Wait 15-20 minutes without flushing
- Check if colored water appears in bowl
- If yes, your flapper needs replacing
Listen for Leaks
Use your ears to detect hidden leaks behind walls.
- Listen for continuous dripping sounds
- Check for running water when taps are off
- Notice hissing from pipes or appliances
- Listen for gurgling from drains
Visual Inspection
Look for signs of water damage or unusual moisture.
- Check for water stains on walls/ceilings
- Look for damp spots on floors
- Notice unusually green garden patches
- Check for peeling paint or wallpaper
Don't Let Small Leaks Become Big Bills
Professional leak detection costs £80-150 and typically pays for itself within weeks. We've helped Bristol homeowners save thousands by catching leaks early.