PUCO and Ohio EPA promote “Fix a Leak Week” – March 18-24, 2019
PUCO and Ohio EPA promote “Fix a Leak Week” – March 18-24, 2019
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water per year in the United States alone. That’s equal to the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) are promoting “Fix a Leak Week,” March 18–24, 2019. Fix a Leak Week is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program as an annual reminder to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks. If you do find a leak within your home, or have an issue with your pipes and you are unable to fix it yourself, you may want to look into Brisbane pipe relining services or ones that are similar, so you can get it fixed and save on your water bill. Be vigilant within your home, you never know what a little issue could turn into.
“Many homeowners are unaware of common household water leaks, which can lead to increased bills and wasted resources.” said PUCO Interim Chair, Beth Trombold. “One of the simplest ways to save money and water is to identify and fix easily corrected leaks.”
“Water leaked is water (and dollars) wasted. Fixing leaks makes sound environmental and economic sense for businesses, communities and families,” Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson said.
To help consumers here in Ohio and across the country save water, the PUCO, Ohio EPA and WaterSense are promoting ways to identify and repair dripping faucets, running toilets and leaky showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers or your favorite handy person. Many tend to search online for “Plumbing repair near me” and hire a plumber. As well as you check inside your home, ensure you’re checking the outside too i.e your vents or the gutters, as these could also be a factor causing leaks in your home. Although it’s not necessarily affecting your water bills, it can cause some serious damage inside the home and you may end up having to call in an expert like those over at carolinahomespecialists.com/areas-we-serve/burlington-nc/. This is why it is always best to check. If you do notice that your water bills are increasing, then here are a few water-saving tips:
- Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet and showerhead washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.
- Find silent toilet leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank and checking the bowl for color after a few minutes or before flushing. Replacing a worn rubber flapper is a quick, affordable fix.
- Check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, a leak is probably present.
- Review your water bill. If a family of four uses more than 12,000 gallons per month during the winter, leaks are likely.
- For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
Introduced in 2006, WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. EPA that makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment by identifying water-efficient products, services and homes. The WaterSense label can be found on toilets and bathroom faucets. Products that have earned the WaterSense label have been independently tested to meet water-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find a WaterSense labeled product in your area. For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.
