Arlington Water Utilities is encouraging residents to take part in Fix a Leak Week, March 20-26, with a few simple steps that could save water and utility costs.
Fix a Leak Week is a yearly event that is part of the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense campaign for efficient water use and conservation. The EPA estimates that easy to fix water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes. The average U.S. household leaks more than 10,000 gallons a year or the amount it takes to wash 270 loads of laundry, according to the EPA.
Here are some tips to avoid water loss at home:
- Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures. Look under the sink, water heater and appliances for pooling water. Also, check for toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank and waiting 10 minutes. If color appears in the bowl before you flush, you have a leak.
- Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections. To save water without a noticeable difference in flow in your bathroom, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.
- Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.
- Don't forget to check irrigation systems and spigots. The EPA estimates that an irrigation system leak the size of a dime can wait about 6,300 gallons each month. Each spring, Arlington Water Utilities and Tarrant Regional Water District offers a limited number of free sprinkler system check-ups for Arlington residents. Click here to sign up.
Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more Fix a Leak week activities and tips and www.SaveArlingtonWater.com for advice about being water efficient.
Water Conservation
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