Residents with My Service Ottawa account to be notified about possible plumbing leaks

A flowing water tap is shown (Mick Favel / CTV News)

The City of Ottawa can now automatically notify residents with high water consumption caused by hidden leaks, possibly saving homeowners from incurring costly water bills.

A news release from the City of Ottawa says homeowners with a My Service Ottawa account will be sent an email notification when its system detects continuous uninterrupted water flow over a seven-day period that could indicate a leak inside a home.

“This allows a quicker turnaround to identify and resolve the issue or contact a licensed plumber, if needed, potentially avoiding higher water consumption and unexpected water bill charges,” the city says.

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The city has been using an automated device to track hourly water usage since 2014, but courtesy notifications were only be sent by mail, taking several days to arrive.

Last June, CTV News Ottawa reported on a local senior who was hit with a $1,547 water bill all because of a silent leak in the basement.

Residents were previously able to receive email notifications on their water usage but only if they registered for consumption alerts.

“Please keep in mind that these courtesy alerts usually point to a leak on private property. Homeowners are responsible for all water usage on their property, leak monitoring as well as the repair and maintenance of plumbing fixtures,” the city says.

Residents without a My Service Ottawa account can register online.

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