EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week
One in every 10 homes has a leak that is wasting at least
90 gallons of water per day
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
(EPA) WaterSense program encourages Americans to check and replace leaky
plumbing fixtures and sprinkler systems, helping households save more than
10,000 gallons of water per year and as much as 10 percent on utility bills.
“Easy-to-fix household leaks waste more than 1 trillion
gallons of water annually nationwide, which is equal to the amount of water
used by more than 11 million homes,” said EPA Acting Administrator for the
Office of Water Nancy Stoner. “We’re not just wasting water; families also lose
money from leaks with higher utility bills. That’s why Fix a Leak Week is so
important, and why we encourage everyone to take a few simple steps that add up
to make a significant positive impact.”
In just 10 minutes, businesses and homeowners can: check
winter water bills and fixtures for water waste; twist and tighten pipe and
hose connections; and consider replacing broken or inefficient fixtures with
WaterSense-labeled models.
If winter water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000
gallons per month, it’s likely that the home has a leak problem. Here are some
easy tips:
• Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops
of food coloring in the tank at the back and, if after 10 minutes, color shows
up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to make an easy repair and
replace the flapper.
• Check outdoor hoses for damage from winter frost and
tighten connections at the water source.
• For in-ground sprinkler systems, a professional certified
through a WaterSense-labeled program can inspect sprinkler heads and pipes for
signs of leakage and help homeowners maintain an efficient system and healthy
lawn.
• Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures for
leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.
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 with water-efficient products, new homes, and services.
Since the program's inception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save 287
billion gallons of water and $4.7 billion in water and energy bills.
Learn more about fixing leaks, find a certified
irrigation professional, or search for WaterSense labeled plumbing and
irrigation products:
http://www.epa.gov/watersense
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