Nikola Matawalu's double, along with a try each for Peter Horne and Duncan Weir, who also chipped in with nine points from the boot, were enough for the Warriors after a slow first half.
And while Townsend was delighted to reach the summit, he also fired a warning to his troops after their opening 40-minute showing.
"The first half was unacceptable. To be 13-10 down the pressure was on and they responded very well," Townsend told The Scotsman.
"Getting to first place is good because we know we have some tough games now. It's fantastic to get another bonus point and five matches with maximum points is a league record."
Matawalu now has five tries in his last five games and Townsend reserved special praise for his in-form scrum-half, who also spent a spell on the wing.
"Niko plays as well on the wing as he does at scrum-half," added Townsend. "You could see how tiring the game was especially after that mammoth effort against Ulster last week."
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