It’s hard to imagine how much water is in 1 trillion gallons. To put it into perspective, it’s roughly the amount of water that passes over Niagara Falls every four days. It’s enough to fill 1.5 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. It’s enough to supply water to 11 million households for a whole year. And it’s also the amount of water that’s wasted annually in the United States due to household leaks.
Sinks, toilets, showerheads, and hose bibs are among the many sources of hidden leaks around the home. A dripping faucet alone can waste as much as 3,000 gallons of water per year. In many cases, a simple, inexpensive repair will fix a leak — and help homeowners save money on their water bills.
To raise awareness about the importance of fixing leaks, the U.S. EPA’s WaterSense program developed the Fix a Leak Week campaign in 2009. Since then, communities around the country have organized events and promotions — from bill stuffers, videos, and social media takeovers to leak-finding contests and fun runs — all focused on reducing water waste through leak detection and repair. This year, Fix a Leak Week runs from March 18 to 24. Check your city or town’s website to see if any workshops or educational events on water conservation, leak detection, and repair techniques are being held.
Whether or not your community is organizing any formal observance of Fix a Leak Week, it’s easy to participate on your own. Here are a few things you can do to detect and repair leaks and promote water conservation.
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- Check faucets and fixtures for leaks: Encourage everyone in your home to inspect faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures for any signs of leaks. This can include visible drips or leaks, as well as checking for moisture or water stains around the fixtures. U.S. EPA has created a great checklist to help you search and track your findings!
- Inspect toilets for leaks: Leaky toilets are a common source of water waste in households. You can conduct a simple dye test by adding food coloring to the toilet tank and checking for color in the bowl after several minutes. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, it indicates a leak.
- Monitor water usage: You can monitor household water usage by checking your water meter before and after a period of time when no water is being used (such as overnight). A significant change in the meter reading could indicate a hidden leak.
- Fix leaks promptly: Repair common household leaks, such as replacing worn washers in faucets, tightening connections, or replacing faulty toilet flappers. Addressing sneaky leaks promptly helps prevent water waste and reduce water bills.
- Consider water-efficient products: Upgrading to water-efficient appliances and fixtures, such as low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets, can help reduce water consumption and save money on water bills over time.
- Spread awareness: Now that you know how important (and easy) it is to find and fix household leaks, shout it out! Share tips, resources, and success stories to inspire others to take action. Remember to use #FixALeak on social media!
No matter how you celebrate, Fix a Leak Week is a great reminder of how we, as individuals, can contribute to water conservation efforts, reduce water waste, and promote a more sustainable future for our communities.
Additional Resources
WaterSense for Kids (U.S. EPA)
Video: Fix a Leak with WaterSense! (U.S. EPA)
Video: Replace Your Showerhead – WaterSense Bath Hack #1
Video: Replace Your Faucet Aerator – WaterSense Bath Hack #2
Video: Replace Your Leaky Toilet Flapper – WaterSense Bath Hack #3
