Celebrating Fix a Leak Week March 18-24
Leaks love to hide, but we are on a mission to catch them during Fix a Leak week (March 18-24)! About 10 percent of households have leaks wasting enough water to fill 1,440 glasses every day. Not only does this drive up your water bill, but it can also cause damage to your home and garden.
The good news? Many leaks are easy to find and fix—and we can help!
Inside your home
- Leaky toilets are the biggest offender: Did you know a running toilet could be draining 200 gallons of water per day? If you hear your toilet running constantly, you likely have a leak. A quick way to check is by adding food coloring to the tank and waiting 15 minutes—if the color appears in the bowl, there's a leak. Often, the issue is a worn-out flapper, which is simple and inexpensive to replace. Watch on what you need to know about your toilet leak.
- FREE DYE STRIPS AVAILABLE! Stop by the Utility Exploration Center, 1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd, during this week to grab a free dye strip and test your toilet.
- Tiny drips add up to a lot of water waste: A slow drip may seem harmless, but it adds up fast. A faucet leaking one drip per second can waste nearly 58 gallons per week, while a showerhead leaking ten drips per minute wastes about 10 gallons per week. The usual culprits? Worn-out washers or loose connections. The fix is simple—turn off the water, replace old washers, and tighten any loose fittings.
In your garden
Sprinkler leaks are the silent water wasters: They strike when you least expect it, soaking your landscapes and very tricky to spot right away. A small leak in your sprinkler system can result in a loss of 6,300 gallons per month! Watch for unusually wet or soft patches in your lawn, which may signal a broken pipe or a loose connection. Regularly inspecting your sprinklers and tightening fittings can help prevent major water waste. Always good to check your system before irrigation season begins.
Leak prevention and smart water use
- Always turn off the water as soon as you spot a leak.
- When replacing fixtures, look for the WaterSense label—these products are 20 percent more efficient.
- Can't find a leak? Schedule a free Water Wise House Call with our team.
- When in doubt, hire a professional plumber to fix stubborn leaks.