Cochrane’s water system carries clean water to homes and businesses every day. To maintain the integrity of this essential system, we are actively working to reduce water loss caused by leaks or damage in the distribution network.
Service leaks can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- deterioration after years of usage
- extreme temperature fluctuations
- flaws in the material
- installation and soil type
Water system integrity survey
To proactively address water loss, Cochrane is undertaking a multiyear water system integrity survey to inspect our water pipes and water valves up to private property lines.
What to expect during inspections:
- Crews will search for possible water leaks or breaks.
- If a leak is found on the property owner’s side of the water connection, the property owner is responsible for repairs.
- We recommend reviewing your home insurance policy to confirm coverage for water system leaks and breaks.
Homeowner and Town of Cochrane water service responsibilities
- Town of Cochrane — responsible for the water service from the main water main to the curb stop valve
- Property owner — responsible for the pipe from the curb stop valve to the home or business
Signs of a water service leak:
Ignoring an identified water system leak could result in an unexpected water service failure and/or foundation damage to the home or adjacent properties. Watch for these signs:
- reduction in water pressure within the home
- sump pump in basement running regularly
- persistent sound of water running from the basement with no visible source
- soft or wet ground not associated with an irrigation system
Leak investigation — free service
If you suspect a leak on your property, we can investigate at no cost to determine if there is a leak with the water service connection.