Helpful Tips

Water Cross Connection

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause a cross connection, auxiliary intake, bypass or interconnection to be made; or allow one to exist for any purpose whatsoever. Any person whose premises are supplied with water from Elberton Utilities system and who also has on the same premises a separate source of water supply. For more information please visit: Sec. 38-43 Water System Cross Connection Control Program

Backflow Prevention

Backflow is the reversal of water's normal direction of flow. When water passes through a water meter into a customer's home or business it should not flow back into Elberton Utilities water main. When this does occur, that is considered backflow. Backflow prevention is keeping the unintentional reversal of water flow from occurring. Our water is a precious resource and continual efforts are made to conserve it and ensure its safety. One way to save our water supply is by not allowing it to become contaminated. Elberton Utilities strives to protect our customers, our water resources, and the environment. Our objective is to monitor and implement devices which will prevent our water supply from becoming contaminated. To combat the dangers of cross connections and backflow connections, education in their recognition and prevention is needed. Working with the public as a team, Elberton Utilities will provide direction to the medium and high risk businesses within the Elberton Utilities on the installation of appropriate backflow prevention devices.

How to Check for a Water Leak

Finding water leaks helps you save money on water and sewer bills. Follow these easy steps to determine if you have a leak in a domestic or a sprinkler irrigation system.

Follow these steps to find out if your system has sprung a leak.

Step 1: Lift lid on meter. Turn on water at house. Meter should be turning.
Step 2: Turn off all water to house and isolate water using appliances. Observe meter. Meter should NOT be turning.
Step 3: If meter is turning with all water turned off, customer has a leak between the meter and the house and is responsible for repair.

Follow these steps to check a toilet for a leak.

Step 1: Flush the toilet and while the reservoir is still filling, add two or three drops of food coloring to the water in the reservoir.
Step 2: Wait 15-30 minutes. If the water in the bowl changes colors, the flapper valve needs to be replaced. In leaky toilets, the flapper valve often needs to be replaced.
Step 3: If the water in the tank is running over the overflow tube, the valve is not shutting off when the water in the tank returns to normal and the valve assembly may need to be replaced.