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That’s right homeowners. It’s the 13th annual Fix a Leak week, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program and its partners are encouraging all Americans to take just 10 minutes this week, (March 15 through 22) to find and fix water leaks.
Fixing household leaks conserves water to help preserve our vital water resources while saving households nearly 10 percent on water and sewer bills.
“The benefits of Fix a Leak Week are simple—with very little time and investment, Americans can save money on home utility bills while supporting local water resources,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox.
According to the EPA, leaks can cause the average American home to waste more than 10,000 gallons of water annually.
The EPA has shared some clues that can help homeowners detect and fix leaks:
- Check your utility bill. During the winter, if a family of four is using more than 12,000 gallons of water per month, it could be an indication of a leak.
- Read your water meter. Check your water meter—often near the curb in front of your home or in the basement—during a period when no water is being used. If the reading is not the same after two hours, you could have a leaky bathroom fixture or hose.
- Take a 10-minute toilet test. Put a few drops of food coloring into the tank at the back of your toilet and let it sit for 10 minutes. If color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak and should consider replacing your toilet flapper. Make sure to flush after to avoid staining.
- Replace leaky fixtures. Dripping faucets and leaky showerheads can often be fixed with a wrench or pipe tape.
For more information about WaterSense and Fix a Leak Week, visit https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week.
