Time to hunt down household leaks! They account for 1 trillion gallons a year nationwide.
Many leaks are easy to spot and can be repaired with a few turns of a wrench. Others are a bit sneakier.
The average leak can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year. Fixing them can save about 10 percent on the water bill.
Here are some tips for finding leaks:
- Use your water meter to check for leaks. Make sure no water is running inside or outside (sprinklers, showers, washer, etc.). Locate the water meter (rectangular concrete box at the curb or sidewalk). Lift the rectangular lid of the meter box, lift the round cap from the face of the meter. If the meter changes at all you probably have a leak.
- Place several drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. Do not flush the toilet. Wait 5-10 minutes. If color is in the bowl the toilet has a leak. Check for a worn seal or flapper. Replace if needed.
- Check for a worn rubber washer under the faucet handle and examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe.
For a complete checklist on how to find and fix leaks inside and outside your home, go here: www.dwa.org/leaks
DWA also has coupons on our website that any valley resident can use to get a discount on professional leak detection services or a leak detection device. Check out our coupons here: www.dwa.org/coupons
For more information on EPA’s Fix a Leak Week, go here: www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week