Stopping sneaky leaks in their tracks

Finding a leak in Roseville’s water system is not always as simple as spotting water on the ground. With more than 725 miles of water mains and over 55,000 service connections, some leaks are easy to see, while others stay hidden underground.

That is where Roseville’s water distribution team comes in.

“Many leaks never surface right away, so our crews rely on experience, training, and specialized equipment to find them early,” said Bob Strebel, Water Distribution Superintendent. “That helps us stay ahead of bigger issues and protect the reliability of the system.”

Crews use acoustic leak detection equipment that listens for the sound of water escaping underground. This allows staff to pinpoint hidden leaks before they have a chance to grow into larger problems. In 2025, Roseville’s proactive leak detection efforts helped identify leaks across the system while surveying miles of pipeline and system infrastructure.

Rather than searching at random, crews focus their efforts based on repair history, pipe materials, and soil conditions that may affect infrastructure.

When a leak is found, staff determine whether it is on the city side or customer side of the meter so it can be addressed quickly. Finding leaks early helps reduce water loss, avoid larger breaks, and keep treated drinking water moving where it is meant to go: to Roseville customers.

Since 2022, Roseville’s proactive leak detection program has identified 119 leaks and tracked more than 12.3 million gallons in potential water savings.

Need to report a leak? Call (916) 774-5750 for emergency or non-emergency leaks.