Losing water due to broken pipes is part of operating a water system. Water utilities work to minimize the amount of water that is lost and allocate funds to repair infrastructure. 

“While water loss due to undetected leaks and main breaks is inevitable, our goal is to proactively locate those leaks and respond quickly to water main breaks across our system,” said Tom Roode, Denver Water’s chief operations maintenance officer.

A broken pipe can result in a significant amount of water loss. The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) makes the following estimation of water loss when pipes of different sizes burst:

• ½-inch pipe: 50 gallons per minute
• ¾-inch pipe: 110 gallons per minute
• 1-inch pipe: 210 gallons per minute
• 2-inch pipe: 850 gallons per minute
• 3-inch pipe: 1,900 gallons per minute
• 4-inch pipe: 3,400 gallons per minute

To further illustrate the speed and amount of water flow, NTMWD estimates:

• A refrigerator water line typically flows at ½ to 1 gallon per minute (depending on water pressure).
• A single leak in a toilet supply line, which flows at 2-3 gallons per minute, can lose up to 3,000-4,000 gallons each day.
• A washing machine hose can leak 10-12 gallons per minute, causing the loss of more than 12,000 gallons in 24 hours.

Water utilities take proactive steps to minimize infrastructure repairs and water loss.

• Leak detection - Utilities employ leak detection programs that can locate underground leaks before they become larger issues.
• Pipe replacement – Utilities proactively install or replace aging water pipes throughout their service area to keep infrastructure viable.
• Corrosion control – Throughout their systems, utilities set up multiple test sites to help determine corrosion rates and whether and where replacement might be needed.
• The good news is by paying your water bill, you’ve already done your part to fund these programs and ensure that your home’s tap water is there when you need it.