Lakeland utility letters flag possible leaks after 72 hours of continuous water flow

Lakeland Water Utilities says it has started mailing continuous-flow notification letters to customers after smart meters flagged 72 straight hours of water use at some homes. The city posted the notice Oct. 15 and says the program is meant to catch leaks earlier and help keep bills and damage from climbing.

What the city says the reading means

The utility says the warning is based on a pattern it considers unusual: in a typical home, water use normally pauses overnight. City officials say continuous flow is a strong sign of an ongoing leak, not normal day-to-day use.

For residents who got a letter, the practical message is that the city believes there may be a leak that has not been spotted yet. Lakeland says the goal is to conserve water and reduce the risk of property damage and higher utility costs.