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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is using its third annual Fix a Leak Week to remind Americans that fixing those easily corrected household leaks can reduce their water bills by as much as 12 percent, as well as saving the country 1 trillions of wasted gallons of water a year.
“When households have a leak, it’s not just a waste of water, it’s a waste of money,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. “But by fixing leaky pipes, buying WaterSense products and taking other simple steps, families can save on their water bills and conserve clean water for future generations to enjoy.”
Homeowners’ water bills provide an easy and quick leak-checking measure; if wintertime water use for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, their home may have a leak. Fixture replacement parts often pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers, professional plumbers, or EPA’s WaterSense irrigation partners.
The EPA,s tips for Fix a Leak Week, which runs March 14-20, include:
- Check for leaks. Silent toilet leaks can be found by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots, too.
- Twist and tighten pipe connections. To save even more water without a noticeable difference in flow, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator or showerhead.
- Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for the WaterSense label when replacing plumbing fixtures, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.
More information on Fix a Leak Week: www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak
More information on WaterSense: www.epa.gov/watersense
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