Emergency Contact
If there is an immediate risk to health or safety, damage being caused to property or a threat to the environment call us 24/7 on 01737 772000.
Advice and help with leaks
We know you care about leaks in our network and in your home. And so do we.
Leaks can happen for various reasons, from ground movement because of extreme weather or traffic, or simply due to pipe deterioration.
We work hard to identify these leaks on our underground network before they become a problem for your water supply. We also routinely renew older parts of our network.
But we can't track all leaks within your home. This comes down to you, the property owner or your landlord.
How to spot a leak at home
Has your bill increased without knowingly using more water (metered customers only)? Noticing a drop in water pressure, or noisy pipes? You may have received a Waste of Water notice. Follow our simple test to see if you have a leak and how you can fix it.
Problem with water pressure?
Find out what to do if you are experiencing issues with water pressure.
Leaking internal fixtures and fittings
Visible leaks, such as dripping taps or continuous water flows in your toilet system will need to be dealt with by an approved contractor. WaterSafe can give you a list of local, trusted plumbers.
Have we told you that you have a leak?
If you have received a Waste Water Notice from us, it means we know you have a leak on your pipework and you will need to get it fixed within a specific timeframe. Our Waste of Water Notice gives you 14 Days to take action and keep us up to date.
Who’s responsible for what pipework?
We don’t actually own all of the pipes our water moves through. The pipework inside your property boundary belongs to you or your landlord.
Report a leak in the road
If you see a leak in the road, report it to us using our online tool.
How we can help with leaks
Leak assistance scheme
Where there is a leak from the pipework supplying your property, either externally or internally, it is your responsibility to get this repaired. This is a legal requirement under the Water Industry Act 1991.
We offer a free of charge repair, subject to T&Cs, whether the leak is internal or external to your property. We will locate and fix the leak and if we are unable to repair the leak, we will offer you free and independent advice on what to do next. You can read more detail about the scheme via the factsheet below.
What’s included in the Leak Assistance Scheme?
What to do when you find you have a leak
- If you’ve had a Waste Water Notice, check the repair deadline.
- Check your household insurance as the repair might be covered.
- If you have a shared water supply, let your neighbours know they may have a shared responsibility to repair the leak, and tell them when the water supply is being turned off. At this stage you may want to think about having your own private supply pipes. Contact us to discuss options.
- Contact an approved plumber/contractor. You can find one via our find a plumber page, or watersafe.org.uk, or you can call 0333 207 9030.
- If you’re on a water meter, apply for a leak adjustment to cover the cost of the water wasted by the leak.
If you’re unsure about any of the above, then get in touch. We’d be happy to help you.
Leak adjustment
In some instances, we will amend bills after a leak has been detected on a metered supply.
More information about our Leak Assistance Scheme and Leak Allowance Policy can be found in our fact sheet and in our detailed Leak Assistance and Allowance Policy.