Fix A Leak Week 2017 – Promoting Water Conservation
Every year, more than 1 trillion gal of water go down the drain because of household leaks. Leaks may increase a water bill by as much as 10%. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program encourages consumers to celebrate the eighth annual Fix a Leak Week, March 20-26, 2017, by finding and fixing water leaks in their homes. Annually, the average American family could be wasting more than 10,000 gal of water—enough for 270 loads of laundry—due to easy-to-fix leaks. Since 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save a cumulative 757 billion gal of water and more than $14.2 billion in water and energy bills.
Tips for reducing water waste include:
- Check: Look at your water meter, usually located outside your house, before and after a two-hour period of no water use. If the number changed, there is likely a leak, which could be as simple to fix as replacing a worn rubber flapper in the toilet tank.
- Twist: Fix dripping pipe, fixtures or hoses by using a wrench to twist and tighten the connections. If needed, pipe tape can help seal shower fixtures or hose connections. Check washers and valves for persistent drips and repair or replace, if necessary. Remind everyone to turn faucets and showers off tightly.
- Replace: For old or inefficient fixtures not easily repaired, look for WaterSense-labeled models to replace them. WaterSense products are available in a variety of styles and price points at home improvement stores. These money-saving products are high performing and independently certified to use at least 20% less water. Look for the WaterSense label on product packaging or the website of your favorite plumbing brand. Many WaterSense partners also offer rebates for WaterSense-labeled products.