Leak on your side of the meter? Who fixes what, and how to check

Outdoor watering stops in winter, so a water bill that stays high is a classic sign of a leak. The first question is where the leak is – because that decides who fixes it.

Is it a leak at all?

EPA WaterSense says a family of four using more than 12,000 gallons a month in winter may have serious leaks. Its meter test: read the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is used; if the reading changes at all, you probably have a leak. Many meters also have a small triangle leak indicator in the center – the City of Hutto, Texas notes that if it turns while all water is off, that can indicate a leak.

The EPA says the meter is usually underground near the curb in front of the home. Some utilities prefer you leave it closed – San Francisco’s, for instance, says only its field staff should access meters. Check your utility’s website or online usage data first.

Rule out the toilets

EPA’s test: put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If color shows up in the bowl within 10 minutes without flushing, the toilet is leaking – usually a worn flapper. See our running toilet guide.

Whose pipe is it?

Utilities generally maintain the water main and the meter. The pipe from the meter into the house is usually the owner’s. Hutto says the customer must find and repair leaks from the back side of the meter to the home. Denver Water goes further: property owners are responsible for the whole service line, from the main all the way into the home. Rules differ, so check your own utility before you call anyone.

Where to shut the water off

Denver Water notes the main shut-off can be indoors or outdoors and is commonly where the main water pipe enters the foundation. Find it now, before you need it.

When to call a plumber

If the meter moves and the toilets and faucets are fine, the leak may be underground, in a wall or under a slab – that is a job for a plumber who does leak detection. EPA WaterSense says household leaks can waste more than 9,300 gallons a year, and nine percent of homes have leaks wasting 50 gallons or more a day. Plumbers whose own websites say they find hidden leaks: Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago. Step by step: how to find a hidden water leak.

Related guides

Sources

1. EPA WaterSense – Fix a Leak Week
2. EPA WaterSense – Home maintenance
3. City of Hutto, TX – Diagnosing a water leak
4. Denver Water – Leaks
5. SFPUC – About your water meter

Published October 7, 2026 by the Plumbers Pages editorial team. General information, not professional advice. More from the blog · Editorial policy