“Easy-to-fix leaks in the average American home waste enough water each year to fill a backyard swimming pool,” said Peter Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “EPA created Fix a Leak Week to help homeowners save on their water bills and save water for future generations.” (Sound bite:http://www.epa.gov/adminweb/multimedia/newscontent/2010-3-11-ow/
If a family of four’s wintertime water use exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, they probably have a leak. In many cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers, a trusted professional plumber, or a WaterSense irrigation partner.
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water.
In addition, EPA is providing consumers with ways to identify and repair dripping faucets, running toilets and leaky showerheads. Here are a few water-saving tips:
- Reduce faucet leaks by checking washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them; if it’s necessary to replace a faucet, look for the WaterSense label.
- Silent toilet leaks can be found by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank and checking the bowl for color after a few minutes or before flushing. Replacing a worn rubber flapper is a quick fix, or look for the WaterSense label if you need a new toilet.
- For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection. For a landscape irrigation system, a WaterSense irrigation partner can check it in the spring to make sure fixtures were not damaged by frost or freezing.
More information on WaterSense:http://www.epa.gov/watersense
