GAS LEAKS
Gas leaks need to be reported immediately to our service department. If you smell gas or suspect you have a gas leak call (434) 970-3800. This number is our dispatcher and there is always someone there to take your call.
Gas Safety Tips
WATER LEAKS
Check out our Toilet Rebate
Water leaks are costly and wasteful. A standard hose accidentally left on can waste as much as 28,000 gallons in a 24 hour period. A continuously running toilet can use as much as 4,000 gallons of water per day. A slow faucet drip can use as much as 5,000 gallons per month. The City does not check on private property for water leaks. Here is a list of several things you can check if you suspect that you have a water leak.
- Always start checking for a leak with your toilets. Toilets are responsible for 95% of the water leaks in your home or business. If your toilet runs on after you flush it, you should get it repaired immediately. Every time your toilet runs it is like leaving on the faucet and letting the water run down the drain. Toilets can also have silent leaks. To determine if your toilet does, put food coloring in the tank at the back of the toilet. If the color shows up in the bowl without you flushing, it means that the water is leaking around the bottom flap in the tank. Instead of using food coloring, we have dye strips that you can pick up at our office. Both of these problems are cheap to repair if you fix them yourself and will save you money on your water bill.
- If your toilets are not the problem, you should check around your home for dripping faucets, pipes and leaks around your hot water tank.
- To check to see if you have a leak in the underground line between the house and the meter, you first need to find the main cut off as the water line comes into your house. Cut the water off at the cut off valve, go out and look at the dial on your water meter. Call us (434-970-3211) if you do not know where your meter is, we can give you pointers on how to find it. If the dial on the water meter is moving (watch it for at least 10 minutes), it means there is water running thru the meter. If water is running thru the meter and the water valve is shut off, this indicates there is a leak in the line.
- If you did not find a leak in the underground line, try cutting the main valve back on and watch the meter again. If the meter moves this means that water is running in the house somewhere. If no one is using water, this can indicate you have a leak in the house.
Credit on your Bill
The city may give credit for the two highest months due to an underground water leak. The credit will be for half of the water above normal usage and full amount on the sewer above normal usage. The city also requires a copy of the plumbing bill before any credit is given and the water bill must be back to normal before issuing any credit. There is no adjustment given for running toilets or dripping faucets. For more information call customer service at (434) 970-3211. If you have a leak and wish the City to cut off your meter until you can have it repaired, call (434) 970-3800. There will be a $30.00 trip charge.
Send email to the City Utility Billing Office