Dubai residents urged to check for water leaks to avoid exorbitant bills

Problem is more common in older villa communities where it is difficult to spot a leak in underground water tanks or in the garden's irrigation system

Outdoor leaks can be difficult to spot, especially in the irrigation system. Sarah Dea / The National

Dewa officers can check the meter and tell customers whether they have a water leak. Jeff Topping / The National

It is easier to monitor water leaks if you have a tank above ground, rather than an underground one. Pawan Singh / The National

If the water pump is running but there is no consumption in the house, it could mean there is a leak somewhere. Sarah Dea / The National

Keep an eye on any cracks in the pipe in the irrigation system. Satish Kumar / The National

Small sinkholes may develop in the garden near where there is a leak. Sarah Dea / The National

Dubai residents are being urged to monitor their water consumption regularly to avoid any nasty surprises when asked to pay their bills.

People are advised to get a specialised technician to carry out periodic checks to avoid any water leaks in the house, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said on Thursday.

Water pipes can expand or even burst in the summer heat and even the underground ones are susceptible to extreme temperatures.

A simple way to keep a check on your water consumption is to turn off all water taps in your home, including the washing machine and the dishwasher.

Then check the water meter reading. Come back after an hour and check again. If the numbers have gone up, it means there is a leak somewhere.

Dewa says it is responsible for any water leak in the pipe provided it is before the meter. Anything after that is the responsibility of the house owner or the tenant and this includes residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

How to check for a water leak?

The utility provider said that the possibility of leakages can be monitored through smart water meters, or if the bill is higher than previous ones.

Customers can also check if there are any water spots or leaks on the floors, walls and ceiling of the house or around the washing machine and in the kitchen.

These can be caused by leaking pipes and internal connections because of a lack of maintenance.

Water tank leaks can occur because of damage to the tank body, pipes or improper installation.

Laundry rooms and washrooms should also be checked for leaks in the washing machine hose, toilet water tank, water heater, or taps and connections.

The problem of water leaks is higher in older villa communities where it is difficult to spot a leak in underground water tanks or in the garden's irrigation system.

In 2012, a family living in Arabian Ranches discovered that a leak from an underground pipe led to nearly one million gallons of water being wasted ― and they received a Dh54,000 bill for it.

Similarly, in 2014 a resident in The Lakes community was hit with a Dh22,000 bill when for two months water seeped through a broken pipe in his underground water tank.

Regular maintenance can avoid leaks

Preventing water damage is a lot cheaper than paying for repairs and high bills.

People should use specialist companies and high-quality pipes and materials that last longer.

Getting a company to carry out regular home maintenance can ensure there are no leaks inside the house.

The Dewa app has a list of maintenance companies that people can use. Customers can also monitor their consumption through its Smart Living dashboard and get daily, monthly, and annual reports.

Dewa also sends warning messages to customers if their daily water usage goes up substantially.

People can also subscribe to the ‘Away Mode’ service and receive daily and weekly emails on water consumption if they are travelling or away from home.

Home safety in summer – in pictures

Keeping the air conditioning on auto when on holiday, set to about 27°C, is advised. It can prevent goods in the home being damaged and keep humidity in check. Getty Images

Draw the curtains to keep the heat down and prevent items left in direct sunlight from being damaged. Unsplash/ Manu Franco

Although rain is rare in the summer, pipes in older buildings can burst, and AC units often leak. Turning the water off at the mains. Getty Images

Switch sockets off and ensure appliances are not left on standby mode. Getty Images

Ask a friend, neighbour or regular cleaner to check on your home and water the plants. Unsplash/ Khalil

Although property crime in the Emirates is relatively rare, it does happen. Ensure doors and windows are secured and move any goods you have outside such as bicycles inside. Getty Images