The Water Services Corporation is offering consumers free advice on how to trace water leaks and has been investigating consumer complaints of heavy water consumption as a result of high water and electricity bills, where water consumption seems not to be in line with expectations.

It said that over the last 13 months, some 350 cases of high consumption were found to be caused by internal leakages, defined as leakages in consumers’ internal distribution system.

Of these 350 cases, 50 per cent were found to be caused by faulty toilet flushing cisterns that leaked water into the toilet bowl without the owner ever noticing. Forty per cent of hidden internal leaks, the WSC said, were discovered in buried or underground water pipes, while the remaining 10 per cent were leaks from the roof tank.

A spokesman said that the simplest and often most effective check was to have toilet flushing systems seen to by a competent person. A defective system could waste thousands of litres per year without the house owner ever being aware.

Underground leaks, too (usually under floor tiles), can allow large amounts of water to seep away unnoticed.

The WSC said that since such leaks were found after the water meter, it was the account holder who was ultimately responsible for the subsequent bills. The corporation offers free advice on how consumers can trace leaks and last year a flyer was sent to all account holders in Malta and Gozo with a number of practical tips.

The flyer and other water saving tips may be downloaded from www.wsc.com.mt