BPU monitors water meters and notifies customers by text and email when water usage appears to be higher than normal or continues without interruption for an extended period. Because continuous water use can indicate a leak, it’s important to investigate these alerts to help prevent higher water bills and reduce water waste.
However, receiving a notification does not necessarily mean a leak is present. Household activities, irrigation systems, seasonal water use, and certain appliances can all contribute to increased water consumption and may trigger an alert.
Use the drop-down menu below to learn more about common causes of high-water usage, how to identify potential leaks, and how to
monitor your water use through MyMeter.
- Running toilets
- Dripping faucets
- Outdoor faucets or hoses left on
- Lawn irrigation or sprinkler system leaks
- Leaks between the water meter and your home
- Burst or damaged pipes
- Water softeners that are not operating properly
- Swimming pool filling or maintenance
- Guests staying in the home
- Seasonal outdoor watering
- Turn off ALL water use, including faucets, washing machines, dishwashers, sprinkler systems and outdoor hoses.
- Check your water usage through MyMeter. If your account continues to show water usage when no water
is being used, you may have a leak.
- Check toilets by adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. Wait 10-15minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, the toilet may be leaking.
MyMeter allows customers to:
- View daily water usage
- Identify unusual spikes in usage
- Track usage trends over time
- Better understand their utility bill
To learn how to access and use MyMeter, visit our FAQ page.
What does high water usage look like on MyMeter?
When viewing your usage history, be sure to select "Consumption" from the dropdown menu (see arrow above) to display your actual water usage.
This example shows two different types of high-water-use patterns. The spike in late September indicates a sudden increase in water consumption compared to surrounding days. One-time spikes like this may be caused by a leak or intentional water use, such as filling a pool, pressure washing, or seasonal outdoor maintenance.
The chart also shows a gradual increase in water usage from November through January. Unlike a single spike, a steady rise over time can indicate a continuous water-use issue, such as a leaking toilet, irrigation system malfunction, or another plumbing problem that
worsens over time. The sharp decrease afterward suggests the issue was identified and corrected.
When the system detects water usage patterns that are significantly higher than your typical consumption (whether from a sudden spike or a sustained increase), it may trigger a text, email, or phone notification. These alerts can help you investigate potential leaks or other causes of high usage and potentially avoid a higher water bill.
I fixed a leak. What should I do next?
- After repairing a leak, continue monitoring your water usage through MyMeter for several days to confirm the issue has been resolved.
If your water usage remains higher than expected after repairs have been completed, additional investigation may be needed.
Does a leak notification mean I definitely have a leak?
- No, a leak alert is based on meter data that indicates continuous or higher-than-normal water use. While leaks are a common cause,
other household activities may also increase water usage. Customers should investigate the cause of the usage and monitor their account through MyMeter.
- If you are unable to locate a leak or have questions about your water usage, please contact Water Dispatch at 913-573-9622.
- If your water meter is located inside your home and you cannot identify the source of the water use, BPU recommends contacting a licensed and bonded plumber.
-
For help accessing MyMeter, visit our
MyMeter FAQs
or contact Customer Care at
custservice@bpu.com
or
913-573-9190
.