Monte Vista Water District celebrates Fix a Leak Week March 20-24

Although California’s reservoirs may finally be brimming with water, and more rain is in the forecast, Californians still need to look for opportunities to save water. Monte Vista Water District will celebrate Fix a Leak Week March 20 through 24 to help residents save both water and money.

Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)WaterSense® program, Fix a Leak Week encourages Americans to help put a stop to the more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted from household leaks each year. As a WaterSense partner, Monte Vista Water District is encouraging people to find and fix leaks to save water in the communities we serve. Water leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water in an average home every year–enough water to wash nearly 10 months’ worth of laundry.

Determining if your home has water leaks is easy:

• Turn off all your home’s water-using appliances so that no water is being used.
• Find your meter box (usually near your front curb).
• Carefully lift the lid off the meter box.
• Watch the meter. If the meter is turning, you have a leak!

If you determine your home has a water leak, try the following CHECK, TWIST and REPLACE options:

• CHECK for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, and fixture connections. Also, check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank and seeing if it appears in the bowl before you flush. Remember to check outdoor irrigation systems and spigots.
• TWIST and tighten pipe connections. To save more water without a noticeable difference in flow, twist on a WaterSense-labeled faucet aerator.
• REPLACE the fixture as needed. Look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently tested and certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

Oftentimes, fixture replacement parts can offset the cost versus the cost of wasted water pay quickly. Many replacement parts can be installed by DIY homeowners; other repairs may necessitate a plumbing professional.

WaterSense also partners with certified landscape professionals who can check irrigation systems for leaks. A robust listing of professionals can be found at: https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/meet_our_partners.html. EPA WaterSense-labeled products and services can be found at: https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/index.html

WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. EPA that 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. Monte Vista Water District is a WaterSense Promotional Partner.