The City of Owosso, Michigan, Launches Online Portal to Help Residents Track Water Use and Catch Leaks

The city of Owosso, Michigan, has launched a new platform that will notify residents of potential leaks in their homes, potentially saving them from a costly surprise when the water bill arrives.

Owosso bills quarterly, so months can pass before a resident sees how much water they’re using and what it’s costing them. The Owosso City Council requested a simple way for residents to track their water expenses so they won’t be caught off guard when it’s time to pay a bill—especially one driven up by a leak they never knew they had.

Residents can log into the new platform to see how much water they’ve used over the past 100 days. They can see their water bill and download past bills in the same portal.

The new platform, built by Concourse, also monitors residents’ daily water usage for signs of a potential leak. If someone’s daily use reaches 250% above their average use for the past 14 days, the account gets flagged as “high water usage.” Residents who’ve signed up for the platform get an email when that happens, showing how much water they’ve used and noting it could be an early sign of a leak.

Catching a leak early can save a resident from an expensive surprise later. “A leaky toilet can cost someone $1,000 if they don’t catch it,” says Amy Fuller, Owosso’s assistant city manager. “Something so small can be a big deal.”

Residents can also submit a ticket through the portal with any questions about their water use, giving them a direct line to the city. Previously, a resident with a water question had to call City Hall and work through the phone tree to reach the right person. “Being able to submit a ticket and having someone respond is a million times easier than having to call between 9 and 5 and find the right person,” says Fuller.

Since going live, the platform has flagged more than 10 incidents that were likely leaks, according to the city. Four came in a single week.

Owosso residents can sign up for the portal at https://water.owosso.onconcourse.com/register.