City of Davis Public Works Department Water.CityofDavis.org
Fix‐A‐Leak Workshop
 Introduction
 Conservation and Water Rates
 Indoor Water Leaks
 Outdoor Water Leaks
 Conservation Tools & Resources
 Questions and Answers
John Mast Water Production Systems Supervisor
Jeff Winslow
Water Systems Maintenance Worker
Richard Tsai Senior Utility Resource Specialist
Jennifer Gilbert Conservation Coordinator
 Avoid using water to 
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clean sidewalks
Turn off fountains
Limit vehicle washing
Limit outdoor watering to 2x a week
Restaurants: offer water only when requested
Hotels: offer options for guests to avoid daily washing of linens
Prohibit HOAs from fining residents who comply with required conservation measures Why conserve water?
Save Resources
 Save water for fish and other animals.  Preserve drinking water supplies.
Reduce Water Demand
 Save energy
 energy used to treat and move water  energy used to heat your water
 Ease the burden on wastewater treatment plants
Why conserve water?
Reduce future utility bills
 Water rates
 Jan 2015 starts new rates with supply fee based on May‐Oct 2014 water use
 Sewer rate calculated from winter water use
 November to February of each year
 Rate set each December
 water used for irrigation is at a minimum in Nov‐Feb
Consumption‐Based Fix Rate
• Distribution Charge
• Variable Charge
• Supply Charge
Common types of leaks
 Indoor
 Toilets
 Faucets
 Showers/tubs
 Outdoor
 Hose bibs
 Irrigation valve
 Broken sprinkler heads
Leak Size
Situation
Annual Loss
Drip
Dripping Faucet 18,500 gallons
1/4 gallon per min.
Running Toilet
131,400 gallons
1 gallon per min.
Leaky pipe
525,600 gallons
Toilet Leaks
Typical causes and solutions
 Check your toilet for leaks:
 Dye tablets (or food coloring)
 Fixing a toilet leak
 Check for worn out, corroded or bent parts.  Replace toilet flapper
 Supply line leaks
Image Source: villageofbellevue.blogspot.com/2012/07/discovering‐and‐fixing‐leaky.html
Faucet Leaks
Typical causes and solutions
 Causes  Worn washer or O‐ring
 Corrosion of the valve seat
 Solution
 Turn off water supply to the house/faucet
 Remove decorate knobs
 Unscrew the handle and stem of the faucet
 Inspect and replace the washer and O‐ring
 Replace or grind the valve seat smooth
 Reassemble and test
Image Source: aaaserviceplumbing.com/helpful‐tips‐and‐news/solving‐denver‐area‐plumbing‐emergencies/sink‐faucet‐water‐supply‐shutoff‐
valve‐diagram/ Compression Faucet
Image Source:
(left) wetheadmedia.com/how‐to‐fix‐seven‐types‐of‐leaky‐faucets/ (right) thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,193895,00.html Image Source: (left) plumbing‐leaks‐faucets.knoji.com/how‐to‐fix‐a‐leaking‐cartridgetype‐faucet/ (right) hometips.com/repair‐fix/faucet‐dripping.html Image Source: diyadvice.com/diy/plumbing/faucets/stem‐compression/
Shower/Tub Leaks
Types of leaks and typical causes
Causes
 Worn washer or O‐ring
 Corrosion of the valve seat
Solutions
 Turn off water supply to the house/faucet
 Remove decorate knobs
 Unscrew the handle and stem of the faucet
 Inspect and replace the washer and O‐ring
 Replace or grind the valve seat smooth
 Reassemble and test
Image Source: yourmrrooter.com/plumber/img/Bathtub‐Shower.jpg
Image Source: searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part‐model/sears‐parts/shower‐parts/model‐60920809/0934/0909800/00054891/00001
Outdoor Water Leaks
Types of leaks and typical causes
 Hose Bibs
 Irrigation Valves
 Broken / Misaligned Sprinkler Heads
Hose bib leaks
Typical causes and solutions
Causes
 Loose packing
 Cracked housing
Solutions
• Tighten the packing
• Replace washer
• Add/ replace packing
Image Source: askmehelpdesk.com/plumbing/exterior‐water‐faucet‐diagram‐596091.html Irrigation Valves
Typical causes and solutions
Causes
 Failed diaphragm
 Solenoid
Solutions
• Remove & clean or replace diaphragm
• Replace solenoid
• Replace control valve
Image Source: http://ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/TURF/SITEPREP/irrigprts.html http://irrigationdirect.com/irrigation‐products‐and‐supplies/sprinkler‐irrigation‐repair‐parts/richdel‐sprinkler‐system‐repair‐parts/richdel‐anti‐
siphon‐electric‐valve‐apr‐repair‐parts Broken Sprinkler Heads
Typical causes and solutions
Causes
 Cracked/broken riser
 Cracked/broken sprinkler head
 Loose fittings
Solutions
•
•
•
•
Tighten fittings
Irrigation tape
Replace riser
Replace sprinkler head
Image source: ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/TURF/SITEPREP/irrigprts.html Image source: (left) rainbird.com/homeowner/products/sprays/unispray.htm (right) sprinklerwarehouse.com/DIY‐Sprinkler‐System‐Installation‐s/5713.htm Water Conservation: Conservation tools
 Indoor
 Die tablets
 Faucet aerators
 Flow restrictors
 Shower timers
 Outdoor
 Hose nozzles
 Hose timers
 Moisture gauges
 Irrigation timers
Conservation Assistance Available:  Public Works leak check
 Call PW 757‐5686
 Washer Rebate: ONLY ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2014 models are eligible for a $200 rebate. PG&E’s rebate of $75 is added to your City of Davis’ rebate of $125.
Online Resources
Online resources
Water.CityofDavis.org/Water‐Conservation
Monitor individual water usage using the City Services Payment webpage
CityofDavis.org 
Online City Payments 
Pay City Services Online
WaterSmart: Waster Insight
Water.CityofDavis.org/
WaterSmart‐
waterinsight
Thank you for conserving water
John Mast Water Production Systems Supervisor
Jeff Winslow
Water Systems Maintenance Worker
Richard Tsai Senior Utility Resource Specialist
Jennifer Gilbert Conservation Coordinator
City of Davis Public Works Department
757‐5686
[email protected]
Water.CityofDavis.org