Carson City, Nev. – As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ongoing “We’re for Water” campaign, this year’s Fix a Leak Week encourages Americans to help put a stop to the more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted from household leaks each year.
Sponsored by the EPA’s WaterSense program, Fix a Leak Week is March 17-23. In support of this public awareness campaign, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada is encouraging consumers to find and fix residential leaks to save water in Nevada.
According to the EPA, household leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water in an average home every year - the amount of water it takes to wash 270 loads of laundry.
EPA’s Fix a Leak Week tips include:
• Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, sprinklers, and other fixtures. Also check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank, waiting 10 minutes, and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots too.
• Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections. To save water without a noticeable difference in flow in your bathroom, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.
• 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-it-yourselfers or local plumbing professionals. Irrigation professionals certified through a WaterSense labeled program can also check systems for leaks. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find WaterSense labeled products or an auditor in your area.