Find a Hidden Water Leak in Your Longmont Home (Water Meter Test)
Use your City of Longmont meter to confirm a hidden leak, measure the rate, and see the real cost on Longmont water and wastewater rates.
The water meter is the most reliable way to confirm a hidden leak in a Longmont home. The City of Longmont bills water in four usage blocks, so a leak that pushes monthly use into a higher block costs more per 1,000 gallons. Because Longmont also charges wastewater on actual monthly use, an indoor leak raises both the water and sewer line items on the same monthly bill.
This tool calculates exactly how much water is escaping and what it costs at current City of Longmont rates, including the important outdoor vs. indoor distinction for the wastewater (sewer) bill.
How to Run the Meter Test
- Turn off every water fixture and appliance in the home, including the irrigation system.
- Locate your City of Longmont water meter at the curb and read the current number in gallons or cubic feet.
- Wait at least 2 hours without using any water.
- Read the meter again and enter both numbers below.
Water Meter Test
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Related Resources
If your meter test shows an active leak, the next step is locating the source. Slab leak detection uses acoustic equipment to find a pipe failure under concrete without breaking the floor. For intermittent or slow leaks, acoustic detection and thermal imaging narrow the location before any wall is opened. Review the meter test process and common scenarios in the blog posts linked below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I read my Longmont water meter?
Your City of Longmont water meter is in a small box at the curb. The number displayed is your cumulative usage in gallons or cubic feet. The small triangle or star indicator spins whenever water flows. If it moves with all fixtures off, you have an active leak.
Does an outdoor irrigation leak raise my Longmont sewer bill?
No. Longmont caps sewer charges during irrigation months (Mar through Nov) at the Winter Quarter Average. An outdoor leak adds only to the water bill, not to wastewater. An indoor leak raises both.
What is the Longmont Winter Quarter Average for wastewater?
The WQA is the average of your metered water use in January, February, and March. This figure caps your sewer charge during irrigation months. New residents use the city-wide WQA of 5,500 gallons per month until they establish their own history.
Does a slab leak cause a high Longmont water bill?
Yes. A slab leak releases pressurized water continuously under the foundation. Even 1 gallon per hour adds roughly 720 gallons per month to your water bill, and because it drains indoors, it also raises wastewater charges. The meter test above confirms whether an active slab leak is present.