News & Announcements
Frequently Asked Questions
Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department requires someone to be home or at the property when water service is restored to protect your property. Once the technician restores the water, we ask the tenant or homeowner to check to make sure faucets and toilets are not running or that the meter is not leaking to prevent damage. When water is disconnected or terminated these risks do not apply.
Yes, a noticeable increase in water consumption could be an indication of a water leak in your home.
One of the most common culprits is the toilet. Toilet leaks can waste up to 200 gallons a day! Even though a toilet isn't running, it can still be leaking water. If you suspect a problem, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and let it sit for several hours. If the dye has colored the water in the bowl, there is a leak. Also, look inside the tank for water going into the overflow pipe. If a problem is identified, contact a plumber to make repairs.
You also may want to check for dripping faucets. A simple washer replacement is often an easy, inexpensive repair that can eliminate drips in faucets.
Another way to check for evidence of leaks is to read your water meter before going to bed at night. Write down the numbers, and repeat this process first thing in the morning. If the reading has increased and no water was used during the night, you may have a leak. Remember to account for icemakers, humidifiers, water softeners, or other appliances that operate during the night hours.
Lastly, never underestimate the amount of water that is consumed for everyday tasks around the home. Here are some average water consumption amounts for routine household tasks:
- Shower: 25-50 gallons (5-10 gallons/minute)
- Bath: 36 gallons (full tub)
- Toilet flush: 5-7 gallons (less with new low-flow toilets)
- Brushing teeth: 2 gallons (tap running)
- Hand washing: 2 gallons (tap running)
- Shaving: 3-5 gallons (tap running)
- Dishwashing: 20 gallons (tap running)
- Automatic dishwasher: 12 gallons (full cycle)
- Clothes washer: 30-60 gallons (full cycle)
- Outdoor watering: 5-10 gallons per minute
Yes, a noticeable increase in water consumption could be an indication of a water leak in your home.
One of the most common culprits is the toilet. Toilet leaks can waste up to 200 gallons a day! Even though a toilet isn't running, it can still be leaking water. If you suspect a problem, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and let it sit for several hours. If the dye has colored the water in the bowl, there is a leak. Also, look inside the tank for water going into the overflow pipe. If a problem is identified, contact a plumber to make repairs.
You also may want to check for dripping faucets. A simple washer replacement is often an easy, inexpensive repair that can eliminate drips in faucets.
Another way to check for evidence of leaks is to read your water meter before going to bed at night. Write down the numbers, and repeat this process first thing in the morning. If the reading has increased and no water was used during the night, you may have a leak. Remember to account for icemakers, humidifiers, water softeners, or other appliances that operate during the night hours.
Lastly, never underestimate the amount of water that is consumed for everyday tasks around the home. Here are some average water consumption amounts for routine household tasks:
- Shower: 25-50 gallons (5-10 gallons/minute)
- Bath: 36 gallons (full tub)
- Toilet flush: 5-7 gallons (less with new low-flow toilets)
- Brushing teeth: 2 gallons (tap running)
- Hand washing: 2 gallons (tap running)
- Shaving: 3-5 gallons (tap running)
- Dishwashing: 20 gallons (tap running)
- Automatic dishwasher: 12 gallons (full cycle)
- Clothes washer: 30-60 gallons (full cycle)
- Outdoor watering: 5-10 gallons per minute
Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department
The Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department has been in continuous operation since 1906 and has been owned by the City of Oskaloosa since 1923. Operation of the Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department is overseen by the Water Board of Trustees, consisting of 5 members appointed by the Mayor of Oskaloosa. OMWD is operated independently of the City of Oskaloosa.
