Breaks in transmission and distribution pipes often occur due to third party damage or ground movement during the Winter. The mains break (400 gpm) spilled over 1 million gallons of water in 48 hours.
Perhaps surprisingly, such mains breaks typically account for less than 1% of water produced. A service line leak of 6.5 gpm will lose more water every 90 days and will typically run undetected for several years. One of approximately every 700 services will fail every 12 – 24 months.