In February we covered simple water saving tips, but we saved one more for March because the week of March 14 – 20 is the Environmental Protection Agency’s Fix a Leak Week!
According to the EPA, “The average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.” That is like taking 5 extra showers a day!
They also say that, “The average family can waste 180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons of water annually, from household leaks.” This would be equivalent to washing more than 300 loads of laundry! They estimate that homeowners can save about 10% on their water bill after fixing easy-to-repair leaks inside (and outside) the home.
The most common leaks are toilet leaks, faucet leaks, showerhead leaks, and outdoor leaks. All leaks should be relatively easy to fix with only a few household tools. The Fix a Leak Week page gives step by step breakdowns in how to detect leaks, how to fix those leaks, and when it is time to consult a professional.
Who knew such a tiny leak could make such a difference in your water usage? Check out their website to learn all about leaks and how to participate in their leak detection contests, and join the cause to save water, save money, and make your living space more efficient.
Also - here's a practical way to remind yourself to check for leaks - why not make a note to check all faucets and sprinklers when we switch to Daylight Savings time (and back again in the fall) - this year Daylight Savings falls on March 14th the first day of "Fix a Leak Week!"
Ready to take action?
|