CARSON CITY – The annual Fix a Leak Week campaign sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense Program is scheduled March 14-20.
The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) supports the event and urges Nevadans to help put a stop to household water leaks that the EPA estimates account for nearly 1 trillion gallons of water wasted nationwide each year – an amount equal to the annual household water use in nearly 11 million homes.
The PUCN encourages consumers to take a few simple steps that can add up to a significant positive impact. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills, according to the EPA.
“Household leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water in an average home every year. Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more a day,” PUCN Water Engineer Cindy Turiczek said.
Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware, Turiczek added.
EPA’s Fix a Leak Week tips include:
- Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots too. Look at your water usage during a colder month. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month – there are serious leaks.
- Toilet leaks. Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
- Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for WaterSense-labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.
In many cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by handy do-ityourselfers or local plumbing professionals. Irrigation professionals certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can also check systems for leaks. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/watersense; www. epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week or puc.nv.gov to find WaterSense labeled products or an auditor in your area.