Because minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has declared “Fix a Leak Week,” March 15-21. Fix a Leak Week is sponsored by EPA’s WaterSense® program as an annual reminder to Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.
“Leaks can add up to more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted at home every year—that’s enough to fill a backyard swimming pool,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. ”EPA created Fix a Leak Week to save water for future generations and to help homeowners save more than 10 percent on their water bills.”
To help consumers in the mid-Atlantic region and across the country save water, EPA is promoting ways to identify and repair dripping faucets, running toilets, and leaky showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers, your favorite handy person, plumber, or WaterSense irrigation partner. Following are a few water-saving tips:
• Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.
• Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home with a constantly running toilet up to 200 gallons of water per day.
• For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
• Landscape irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.
If homeowners have to replace a plumbing fixture, it’s easy to save even more—just look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled toilets, faucets, and (soon) showerheads have been independently tested and certified to save water and perform as well as or better than standard models.
WaterSense also partners with certified landscape irrigation auditors, designers, installers, and maintenance professionals, visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find a WaterSense labeled product, or an irrigation partner in your area.
For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.
