Thousands of gallons can be lost to leaks every year

March 14-20 is Fix a Leak Week, an annual event sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The average household can lose more than 10,000 gallons of water every year, with approximately 10% of homes having leaks that lose 90 gallons or more per day. Fixing easily corrected household leaks can save homeowners money on their water bill.

These steps include:

• Check for dripping faucets, showerheads, tub spouts and fixture connections. You can also perform a leak test using your water meter. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter reading changes, you probably have a leak.
• Listen for hissing or trickling noises coming from your toilet or water refilling the tank in between flushes. Also check for silent leaks by putting a teaspoon of food coloring in the tank and seeing if it appears in the bowl before you flush.
• Repair leaks by replacing any faulty parts. If you buy a new fixture, look for WaterSense® labeled models, which are independently tested and certified to use 20 percent less water.

For a checklist to help detect and chase down leaks and other helpful tips, visit the Water and Sewer Department page at forsythco.com.

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