What is a common indicator of a water main leak?

Soil erosion near the pipeline is a common indicator of a water main leak. When there is a leak in a water main, water can escape from the pipeline and saturate the surrounding soil. Over time, this can lead to the destabilization of the soil, resulting in erosion. The presence of this erosion can signify that there is an ongoing issue with the integrity of the pipeline, making it a clear indicator that maintenance or further investigation is necessary.

In contrast, increased pressure readings would typically suggest that a pipe is functioning properly and may not indicate a leak. Higher chlorination levels are usually associated with water treatment processes and do not directly correlate with leakage. Stable turbidity readings indicate consistent water quality and do not provide evidence of a leak, as changes in turbidity could be a symptom of other issues unrelated to the integrity of the water main itself.