Watersense: Fix a Leak Week (March 16-20)

Drip…drip…drip…drip…How long have you been ignoring that pitter patter coming from the shower? How about the leaky spigot on the side of the house, or that running toilet? You might as well be pouring money down the drain! Fixing easily corrected household water leaks like these can save homeowners more than 10 percent on their water bills—and a precious natural resource.

March 16 to 20, 2009, marks the WaterSense program’s first “Fix a Leak Week,” a time to remind all of us homeowners to attack leaks in our household fixtures and irrigation systems. While leaks might sometimes seem like small problems, over time they waste both valuable water resources and money. On average, a U.S. household wastes more than 11,000 gallons of water per year—enough to fill a backyard swimming pool!

Common types of leaks found in the home are leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are easily correctable, in many cases requiring only a few tools and hardware, such as a wrench and drops of food coloring, which will easily pay for themselves in water savings. If you discover a significant leak that merits the replacement of an older toilet or bathroom sink faucet, consider a new WaterSense labeled product that will not only put an end to your leak, but also increase water efficiency. For instance, WaterSense labeled faucets use 30 percent less water without a noticeable difference in flow.

While some leaks are obvious, others are more difficult to detect. To be sure that your household is leak-free, check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak—and an opportunity to save water and some extra cash.

Learn more tips and information about Watersense’s Fix a Leak Week.

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