Ian Chamandy is still angry at the city’s insistence he pay when his water bill jumped to $1,200.

“They (city) said we had a leak,” Chamandy said. “They said the problem is yours and unless you can prove the problem is ours, then pay up or else.”

The bill for Feb. 7 to June 13, 2011, showed daily consumption of 4.3 cubic metres, about eight times normal for the family of three, Chamandy said.

So, he refused to pay, and the city responded by putting the charge on his property tax bill, and he reluctantly paid.

“I am so enraged, because when you look at it, it’s self-evident there is a problem. So let’s talk about it and figure it out, and the response from city hall was, ‘No.’”

Chamandy is not alone.

An investigation by Toronto’s ombudsman found a number of cases like Chamandy’s, prompting a recommendation that the city change its rules to allow bills to be adjusted.

In an investigative report released Wednesday, omudsman Fiona Crean said her office has received a “steady stream” of complaints about sudden and unexpected water bill increases.

Her report, Water Works, highlighted six cases, including that of an elderly woman living alone whose bill went up five-fold, to $1,292, in March 2011, compared with a normal bill of $180 to $250.

The city wouldn’t adjust the bill, which was for water use between Nov. 17, 2010, and Feb. 25, 2011, because no city error could be found.

When the woman complained, the city “asked whether she had filled her pool or used the sprinkler more than usual between November and February.”

“Ms M. does not have a pool and would not have been using it or a sprinkler in the winter anyway,” the report said.

A plumber found no water leaks in the home and the meter tested as accurate.

In an interview, Crean said there are about 300 complaints of inexplicably high bills a year, which may be seen as negligible given that 1.5 million bills go out annually.

She agrees the system works well overall — just not if you’re one of the 300.

“It isn’t negligible for the approximately 300 people that have this experience each year,” she said. “In fact, it is a very serious problem for that group of people.”

Crean is recommending a rule change to give officials discretion to adjust bills when there’s a sudden spike not explained by a meter test or leak check.

Crean’s investigation focused on those cases where the city couldn’t explain the spike in the bill and the next bill returned to normal.

Faced with the city’s position that the bill is payable, residents said it seemed the city didn’t believe the customers were being truthful about their water consumption.

“The city’s position that the resident must have used the water recorded by the meter causes some callers to believe their information is being rejected,” Crean said.

She reminded public servants that they should approach every citizen with “a respectful and open mind.”

Customers described their experiences as frustrating and overwhelming. One was told that most people pay disputed bills once they’re told that the amount, if unpaid, will be added to the home’s property tax bill.

The water department took the position that there are no unexplained spikes in consumption, and officials are confident that high bills reflect actual usage, even if inadvertent.

The ombudsman was told that underground lawn sprinklers can leak huge amounts of water and go undetected. Even a small leak from a 1/16-inch breach would release almost $700 worth of water over three months.

A leaky toilet is a common source of water loss — accounting for some 95 per cent of water leaks in a home — and the water department’s water meter manager indicated customers often don’t disclose that they’ve repaired or replaced their leaky toilet.

“I appreciate that the operation of the meters largely supports the position that the water must have passed through the meter,” Crean said. “However, the city also acknowledges that there are cases in which it has not been able to identify the cause of a large and sudden increase in water consumption.”

In the case Crean highlighted, she found the elderly woman to be credible, and that her water use has been consistent for years and based on actual readings. A plumber found no leak and her meter was fine.

Still, the city expects her to pay.

City manager Joe Pennachetti has agreed to implement the report’s recommendations, Crean said.

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Don’t wait to be a victim of a hidden water leak.  Call Canadian Leak Detection to pinpoint these leaks and get them repaired as soon as possible.  Call Toll Free: 1.800.290.5349 in Toronto.

The busiest period for pool openings is usually around the May 2-4 weekend.  Yet, it is only March and Canadian Leak Detection is already servicing in-ground swimming pools that are open and running.  Local municipalities have moved up their pre-opening inspections,  pool companies have confirmed their pre-booked leak detections and homeowners are already calling to pick our brain about early detection of leaks before their openings.

Tips for Home Owners:

The first, most obvious sign of a leak is when you realize your winter cover has sunk and the pool level has dropped over the winter.  If you own a vinyl pool, this would raise concerns about your liner.  Confirm your opening and call Canadian Leak Detection to coordinate a leak detection for your pool once it’s open.

If you don’t experience water loss until after you have the pool running, you may have a leak somewhere at the return line level or higher.  If you experience any kind of water loss, feel free to call Canadian Leak Detection to discuss the possibilities for leak detection on your pool.

Canadian Leak Detection is the World leader in the detection of hidden leaks.  We look forward to working with you all in the coming season.  Toronto: 416-630-1717, Toll Free: 1-800-290-5349, www.cdnleak.com, Twitter: @canadianleak, facebook.com/canadianleak

“Canadian leak was able to pin point multiple liner leaks in my swimming pool without diving my pool.  I told these engineers,  if anyone is capable of finding a leak in these tanks without diving, it would be them” – he said.

He was very right.  Using Canadian Leak Detection’s electronic & sonic leak detection service, a small leak was found in the rubber lining of an underground  storage tank which was approximately 50 feet long, 40 feet wide and 16 feet deep. The only entrance to the tank was a top hatch approximately 2 feet by 3 feet.   The leak was marked for repair and safety issues were eliminated.

Call us first. Canadian Leak Detection is the world leader in non-destructive detection of hidden leaks.

There are two Canadian Leak Detection offices in Ontario.

Canadian Leak Detection specializes in the non-destructive detection of hidden leaks.

13-Dec 2010, CDNLEAK-Toronto:  On behalf of the entire staff, we would like to wish all our clients and affiliates a safe and happy holiday!  After finding over 1500 leaks this year in the GTA alone, we were able to help several Ontario municipalities and condo corporations resume their water activities and save on their water bills as well as hundreds of homeowners.

In Canada, the winter season can bring many unwanted problems.  The last thing you want is a destructive leak problem in the home during the holidays.  In the past, our non-destructive leak detection methods have saved many holiday dinners and get-togethers at people’s homes and even at several different restaurants.   Make sure to give us a call before you go tearing down walls and putting the Christmas tree away.  We might be able to help pinpoint your leak before you cancel your holiday plans.

Toll Free: 1-800-290-5349 (for areas East of Burlington/Hamilton border and across Eastern Ontario)

To take preventive measures, make sure to read our previous post regarding freezing pipes and leak prevention here: http://www.canadianleakdetection.com/local-news-ca/2010/01/winters-here-are-your-pipes-ready/

We find leaks in snow melt systems, heating systems, domestic water systems, fire systems, drainage systems as well as structural leaks in the concrete, roofs, windows, doors, patios, balconies, basements etc.

Fix it!

Canadian Leak Detection’s annual conference took place March 24th – 27th at the Miramonte Spa & Resort in Indian Wells, California. During the four-day event, several franchisees were honored for their milestones during a special awards ceremony.

“It is a great feeling to be honored in front of my fellow franchisees and the entire Canadian Leak Detection team for my hard work and efforts in establishing my local leak detection business,” Gavel said. “Running a business can be challenging, but I thank my colleagues and my customers for their continued support.”

Aside from recognizing award recipients, Canadian Leak Detection invited successful entrepreneurs and motivational speakers to the gathering. Keynote Speaker George Hedley, CSP, owner of a successful commercial construction and real estate development company, led a seminar on how to build a business. George founded and built his business from $0 to $50 million in seven years.

Other experts spoke on a wide variety of topics. Moisture Control, Inc. CEO and Owner Hank Bruflodt spoke to attendees about how his business has been helping solve concrete slab moisture and floor problems for over 10 years. Communication and stress management expert Mary Marcdante spoke about how enthusiasm is the core to great leadership. And, Nancy Friedman, known as the “Telephone Doctor,” held a seminar designed to help owners communicate better with customers.

“Our main goal with this year’s conference was to give our franchisees a wealth of information about how they can build success in the leak detection industry,” said Stan Berenbaum, president of Canadian Leak Detection. “We also wanted to put a spotlight on franchisees like Paul, who have really excelled in this business. They are examples of what success is all about.”

Canadian Leak Detection is known as a world leader in the detection of hidden water and sewer leaks. It uses advanced, sophisticated electronic leak detection equipment to fix leaks for all kinds of water systems. According to Gavel, the company has found 5,226,578 leaks worldwide since 1974 and counting. Canadian Leak Detection’s primary commitment is to conserve water, the world’s most precious resource.

For more information about Canadian Leak Detection, The Original Leak Specialists Serving Toronto and Eastern Ontario, contact Paul Gavel at 800-290-5349.

About Canadian Leak Detection
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Palm Springs, California, Canadian Leak Detection is a part of the franchise system American Leak Detection — a world leader in the accurate, non-destructive detection of all types of leaks including hidden water and sewer leaks. From swimming pool cracks to concealed plumbing systems, the smallest leak can be located, and in most areas be repaired, with the most advanced, sophisticated electronic devices to avoid unnecessary property damage. Canadian Leak Detection is part of a franchise system and each office is independently owned and operated. For more information on Canadian Leak Detection, call 800.755.6697 or visit www.canadianleakdetection.com.

Contact

Paul Gavel

Canadian Leak Detection Serving Toronto and Eastern Ontario

800-290-5349