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EPA Launches Sixth Annual “Fix a Leak Week” to Chase Leaks and Improve Water Efficiency

Release Date: 03/17/2014
Contact Information: Joe Hubbard or Jennah Durant at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

DALLAS – (March 17, 2014) Every year, more than 10,000 gallons of water is wasted in homes due to easy-to-fix leaks. Nationwide, household leaks add up to more than 1 trillion gallons of water lost every year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reminding homeowners of the easy steps they can take to help save water in their communities now and for future generations.

“Fixing household leaks not only saves water but may reduce water bills—by more than 10 percent,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “Families can promote water conservation and save money with three easy steps: Check. Twist. Replace.”

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program is again teaming up with local partners to promote the sixth annual National Fix-a-Leak Week, March 17-23, 2014.

Local activities include but are not limited to:

Arlington Water Utilities
Arlington Water Utilities is partnering with Home Depot, Lowes, the City of Arlington, the City of Mansfield, and the City of Fort Worth to host free “Fix a Leak Workshops” at local retail stores. Each store will host classes on how to repair and replace leaking faucets, toilets and sprinkler systems. For more information visit: http://www.arlingtontx.gov/water/waterconservation_learning_opportunities_resources.html

Central Arkansas Water, Little Rock, Ark.
Central Arkansas Water (CAW) is promoting the “Governor's Proclamation for Fix a Leak Week in Arkansas.” CAW is partnering with local plumbing companies to voluntarily fix leaking toilets in low-income and elderly homes. For more info visit: http://www.carkw.com/conservation/wise-water-usage/fixing-leaks/

City of Carrollton, Texas
The City of Carrollton is partnering with Home Depot for two do-it-yourself classes on simple plumbing repairs. The City has printed the “Get a handle on Leaks” cards and will be attaching toilet leak detection packets to hand out at classes at Home Depot and other public events during the spring. For more information visit: http://cityofcarrollton.com/index.aspx?page=20&recordid=2666


Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center-Dallas
Texas A&M AgriLife will host “Understanding the WaterSense Labeled Home” builder symposium on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. The symposium will feature the first WaterSense labeled home in northern Texas, a retrofit project with hands-on educational opportunities in hot water delivery systems, water-efficient fixtures, water-smart landscaping and irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and rain garden design.
Advance registration for this free symposium is now available at http://dallas.tamu.edu/courses/2014/march-26-2014-dfw-builders-symspium/

EPA’s Fix a Leak Week tips include:

· Check for leaks: Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, and fixture connections. Also check toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back of the toilet and wait 10 minutes before flushing to see if color shows up in the bowl. If you saw color, you probably need a new toilet flapper, which is an easy repair to make. Check irrigation systems and spigots too.
· Twist and tighten pipe connections: If your showerhead is dripping, make sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem. It may just need a twist to tighten or some pipe tape to secure it.
· 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.