Find a Hidden Water Leak in Your El Monte Home (Water Meter Test)
The water meter is the most reliable way to confirm a hidden leak in an El Monte home. El Monte is served by several water providers depending on your address, but the meter test works the same for all of them. Much of El Monte was built in the postwar decades with copper pipe that has now been in hard San Gabriel Basin water for 50 to 80 years, making slab leaks and pinhole leaks a common source of unexplained high bills.
How to Run the Meter Test
- Turn off every water fixture and appliance in the home, including the irrigation system.
- Locate your water meter at the curb and read the current number in CCF or gallons.
- Wait at least 2 hours without using any water.
- Read the meter again and enter both numbers below.
Enter Your Meter Readings
Active leak right now? Shut the main valve and call (626) 898-6169.
If your bill is still high, the cause may be intermittent, like a toilet that only leaks after flushing, or a slab leak running underground. Re-run over a longer window or call for electronic or acoustic detection at (626) 898-6169.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run a water meter leak test in El Monte?
Shut off all fixtures and appliances, read the meter, wait at least two hours without any water use, read it again. Any increase means water left the pressurized system. Enter both readings above for a gallons-per-hour rate and a cost estimate based on your provider. For help reading your meter, call (626) 898-6169.
Which water company serves El Monte?
El Monte is served by multiple water providers depending on your exact address. The largest is San Gabriel Valley Water Company (SGVWC), which covers most El Monte addresses. Others include Golden State Water Company, the City of El Monte Water Department (serving about 17% of residents), La Puente Valley County Water District near the eastern border, and others. Check your water bill to identify your provider or call (626) 898-6169 and we can help.
Does a leak raise my El Monte sewer bill?
No. El Monte sewer service is provided by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD). The charge is a flat annual fee billed via the LA County property tax statement each year. It is not metered, not variable, and a leak of any size cannot affect it.
What causes a high water bill with no visible leak?
In El Monte homes, the most common culprits are silent toilet flappers, slow irrigation leaks, and slab leaks under the foundation. Slab leaks are particularly common because most of the city was built in the 1940s through 1970s with copper pipe now 50 to 80 years old. A meter test plus acoustic or electronic detection can locate the source without opening any walls or concrete. Call (626) 898-6169 for non-invasive detection.