plumbingdrainagemaintenancesustainability
How do you detect leaks in a splash pad system?
Quick answer
Compare make-up water meter readings day over day — flow-through pads have predictable consumption, recirc pads should add minimal water. Spikes mean leaks. Pressure-test isolated zones during shutdown. Audio leak detection or thermal imaging finds underground leaks. Address within 24-48 hours.
Splash pad leak detection starts with the make-up water meter — every recirc system has one to track water added to compensate for evaporation, splashout, and leaks. Daily readings establish a baseline. Sudden increases of 25%+ indicate a leak. Above-grade leaks are easy to spot during walkthroughs. Below-grade leaks require investigation: isolate each zone with valves and pressure-test by holding 50-75 PSI for 30 minutes; pressure drops mean a leak. Audio leak detection (acoustic ground microphone) can pinpoint underground PVC leaks. Thermal imaging works for heated systems. Tracer dye in the recirc loop can show where water surfaces. Fix priorities: any leak above 5 gallons per minute is urgent; smaller chronic leaks within 24-48 hours. A 1 gallon per minute leak wastes 525,000 gallons per year — material on water bills and sustainability metrics. Document repairs in the maintenance log.