Fix a Leak Week

Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide due to indoor and outdoor leaks! WaterSense partners are encouraging Americans to become leak detectives during Fix a Leak Week, March 18-24, 2019, and save more than 10,000 gallons of water per home on average by taking three simple steps: check, twist, and replace:

1.Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak. Check your sprinkler system for winter damage. Of the many types of water waste in the average home, toilet leaks are the most common, and often the most costly. Toilet leak detection tablets will help you detect silent leaks. Simply drop the dye tablet into the toilet tank and lightly stir it. After approximately 15 minutes have passed, check the bowl for color. If color appears, there is a toilet water leak. Dye tablets are non-toxic and FD&C safe. If you have a leak, you will most likely need to replace the flapper.

2.Twist faucet valves, tighten pipe connections, and secure your hose to the spigot. For additional savings, twist a WaterSense labeled aerator onto each bathroom faucet to save water without noticing a difference in flow.

3.Replace old and leaky plumbing fixtures with WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well or better than standard models. You can also use a moisture meter and a hose faucet timer to prevent over watering.

For more information on Fix a Leak Week and to see if there are any events in your area, please visit the EPA’s website.

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