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Stop the Drops! EPA’s National “Fix-a-Leak Week” Kicks Off in Metro Portland

Release Date: 03/19/2013
Contact Information: Bevin Horn, EPA/Seattle, 206-553-1566, horn.bevin@epa.gov

(Portland, OR – March 18, 2013) Every year, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes nationwide. That's equivalent to the total annual water use of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami combined! Experts estimate that leaks in almost 10 percent of American homes drip away almost 90 gallons of water a day. The usual culprits: leaky toilets, faucets and showerheads.

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program is again teaming up with local partners to promote the fifth annual National Fix a Leak Week, March 18-24, 2013.

In cities like Portland, that can mean up to $200 per year in utility charges literally going down the drain. Finding and fixing leaks is easier than most people think. Most replacement parts can be installed by do-it-yourselfers and quickly pay for themselves. Don’t waste money AND natural resources, fix your drips and leaks and make your wallet watertight!

Here are some ways people can get involved in the Portland Area:

Fix-a-Leak Week Photo/Video Contest - The Regional Water Providers Consortium is inviting customers to join “Drippy Drew” - the leak detection gnome - in celebrating Fix A Leak Week (March 18-24, 2013) by participating in their first-ever Fix a Leak Week Contest. Contestants are invited to submit photo or video entries(by Midnight, March 20^th) that depict themselves or others finding & fixing leaks around their homes with the chance to win a $500, $300, or $200 Lowe’s gift card!! Contact: RWPCinfo@portlandoregon.gov

RWPC website: http://www.conserveh2o.org/Fix-Leak-Week-Contest

Follow the RWPC and Drippy Drew on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/RegionalWaterProvidersConsortium

“Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Fixing Leaks…but Were Afraid to Ask! - City of Sandy, OR, is sponsoring a “Do It Yourself” Fix-a-Leak presentation and Q&A with a local plumber at 6 pm, March 20th in the council chambers at Sandy City Hall. There will be more information about the City’s partnership with WaterSense program and tips, tricks & trade secrets will be offered for saving water and money by fixing even minor leaks. Also: Toilet leak dye tablets are available (attached to the WaterSense Dye Tablet Card) at the City Hall’s Water Billing counter. Contact: Liz Storn, City of Sandy (503) 489-2161, lstorn@ci.sandy.or.us

For more about EPA’s WaterSense Program: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/