From the Environmental Protection Agency on Household Leaks
Over 1 trillion gallons of water are wasted in the United States every year. All from easy-to-fix household leaks. That is the amount of water used by more than 11 million homes. Worst part is that’s every single year!
Leaks can be a real drain on water resources. Also and they occur in a number of places at home. That’s including faucets, showerheads, toilets, and outdoor spigots and irrigation systems. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense®program, common household leaks can also add 10 percent to a family’s water bill.
Finding and fixing leaks to save money and water does not have to be difficult. Just follow three simple steps: check, twist, and replace.
Check: Look at your water meter (usually outside your house) before and after two or more hours when no water is being used, perhaps while your family is at work or school. If the number has changed, there is likely a leak. To check for silent toilet leaks, add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank and wait 10 minutes before flushing. If the color appears in the bowl before you flush, the toilet flapper probably needs to be replaced.
Twist: Remedy dripping pipes, fixtures, or hoses by twisting a wrench to tighten the connections. If needed, twist pipe tape around shower fixture or hose connections to seal them. Teach kids to turn faucets and showers all the way off, and check washers and valves for persistent drips. If you’re not the “do-it-yourself” type or you have a bigger leak on your hands, you can consult a licensed plumber.
Replace: Now first of all and for old or inefficient fixtures. Ones that are not easily repaired. Common and replace them with WaterSense labeled models. Toilets, faucets, and showerheads that earn the WaterSense label. They are independently certified to use at least 20 percent less water and perform as well or better than standard models. You’ll stop those nasty leaks and realize even more water savings in the process. These water and money-saving products are available in a variety of styles and prices. So look for the WaterSense label on boxes or websites of your favorite plumbing brand.
In conclusion and following these simple steps could save the average family more than 10,000 gallons of water each year. Similarly or the amount of water it takes to wash 270 loads of laundry! For ideas and events during Fix a Leak Week March 16 to 22, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.
Did You Know?
EPA sponsors Fix a Leak Week every year. All to remind Americans to check, twist, and replace their fixtures to curb household leaks. This year, Fix a Leak Week was March 16 to 22. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak to learn more.
