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- Printable Version
Checking for Toilet Leaks
In an average residence, 22 gallons of water are lost to leakage each day, and the most common culprits are leaking toilets or dripping faucets. This daily leakage volume is about equal to the amount of drinking water a family of 3 needs for two full weeks! The annual water and sewer cost for 22 gallons of leakage is $80 per household.
How to check your toilet or leaks
To check your toilet for leaks, lift off the toilet tank lid. Without flushing, place 2 dye tablets (or 10 drops of food coloring) in the toilet tank. If water in the bowl turns color within 10 minutes, you have a toilet leak. If you are a Portland Water Bureau customer and would like to request free dye tablets, please fill out our web request form .
Determine leakage rate
a. Lift the toilet tank cover and look at the mechanism inside. If you can see or hear water running, you could have a large leak (estimated at 300 gallons per day).
b. If you cannot see or hear water running, drop one dye tablet in the tank. If the dye color appears in the bowl within ten minutes, you have a medium leak (estimated at 150 gallons per day). If dye color appears in the bowl after ten minutes, you have a small leak (50 gallons per day).
1. Toilet leak rate: __________ x 365 = __________
Gallons per day Gallons per year
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