Toilets are an integral part of our lives. We use them Is your money every day. And when they leak, they can waste hun- going down the dreds, even thousands of gallons of water a day. toilet?

It can be expensive, as silent toilet leaks often go unnoticed until we read your meter. Your water and sewer Water costs money... bill could double or even triple in a quar- don’t waste it! terly billing cycle. A leaking toilet can waste up to About 20 percent of all toilets leak. Most 5 gallons of water a minute. toilet leaks occur from the tank on the That equals 7,200 gallons of water a day! back of the toilet into the bowl, and then into the sewer. They might not make much, if any, noise. Gallons of water wasted at 60 psi water pressure with a continuous leak While common, toilet leaks are usually Finding and fixing in the size shown easy to fix. Diameter Gallons Gallons toilet leaks of water wasted per wasted per Worn out flappers are a major cause of stream day quarter leakage; they should be replaced every three to five years. Flappers are relatively For more information on finding 813 74,000 inexpensive and can be found at most and fixing toilet leaks, 3,253 296,000 hardware and building supply stores. please go to our website at www.stpaul.gov/water 7,319 666,000 Fill or inlet valves can get jammed with dirt or debris. Mineral deposits build up 12,984 1,181,500 in home plumbing.

Prevent leaks in your toilet Through normal use, and following any 1900 Rice Street plumbing work in the system, small Saint Paul, MN 55113 Change the flapper on your toilet every pieces of those deposits can break off (651) 266-6350 3-5 years and check to make sure that the and clog toilet fill/inlet valves or keep fill/inlet valves are working properly. them open and running.

Locating and reading Leaky toilets waste water and your money

your water meter Inlet Valve Finding a toilet leak Float Arm Your meter is located inside your home, Flush Flush Arm about one foot off of the floor in your 1. Take the lid off of your toilet tank. Handle basement. It could also be in a crawl 2. Put in a few drops of food coloring or a few dye tablets. Overflow space, pit in the floor, or utility room. Tube 3. Stir the water in the tank with a long Chain It is not outside. Mounting spoon or stick. Prongs Flapper Reading Your Meter 4. Wait 25 - 30 minutes. Arms Valve Flapper You will need a flashlight to read your 5. Do not flush or use the toilet. Seat Valve meter. 6. Look in the bowl. If the coloring has Your display panel will alternate screens seeped from the tank into the bowl, How to clean debris between total water use and rate of flow. you have a toilet leak. from the fill/inlet valve Light Sensor 1. If the float is not adjusted prop- erly, water can continue to fill 1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Shine a flash- 2. Remove the top cap from the fill /inlet valve. light to turn into the tank, and drain down the on the display overflow tube. 3. Remove the loose washers and internal panel. A. Pull up on the float. parts from inside the valve. B. If the water stops running, you 4. Confirm the seals are in good shape. might need to adjust the float. Flow Indicator 5. Place a plastic cup over the center of the 2. The fill valve/ inlet valve is not Visible only when fill/inlet valve. set properly or has malfunc- water is running. 6. Slowly turn the water back on. The water tioned. This sometimes causes a will flow out forcefully through the center of Display Panel hiss or a squeal when filling. the fill/inlet valve and remove any debris. Read all nine numbers from left to right to A. Try adjusting the fill valve. obtain a water meter reading. B. You might need to replace it. 7. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. 8. Re-install the fill/inlet valve parts and Leak Indicator 3. If a black residue rubs off when This indicates a you touch the flapper, it's time to replace the cap. possible leak. It replace it. 9. Turn the water supply on. notes that water has been used throughout most of the day. If 10. Check to see if the fill/inlet valve turns off no leak is detected, the faucet image will not properly when the tank is full. appear. Do you have to jiggle the handle to make the toilet stop running? 11. If not, you may need to replace the fill/ Rate Indicator "RATE" means it is display- inlet valve. ing the rate of water flowing You might need to adjust the chain through your water meter. so that it allows the flapper to sit in the The advice listed here is general. SPRWS recommends The rate is measured in cubic valve seat properly. contacting a licensed plumber for professional advice feet per minute. if you require additional assistance.