Leaks in your home can hit your wallet hard. The Missouri Public Service Commission, along with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, is emphasizing the importance of checking your home’s plumbing and irrigation systems for leaks every March during Fix-a-Leak Week.
Research by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that household leaks can squander about 1 trillion gallons of water across the country every year. To put that into perspective, a faucet dripping once per second can lose over 3,000 gallons annually. That’s enough water for over 180 showers. A showerhead that drips 10 times a minute can lead to more than 500 gallons of wasted water a year, equivalent to what’s needed for 60 dishwasher loads.
On average, leaks in a household can waste about 10,000 gallons of water yearly, with 10 percent of homes losing 90 gallons or more daily. Typical leaks include worn toilet flappers, leaky faucets, and malfunctioning valves. The EPA points out that tackling these common issues can slash about 10 percent off your water bills.
To encourage leak fixes and water conservation, the Missouri Public Service Commission is backing Fix-a-Leak Week, happening from March 18 to March 24, 2024.
Here are straightforward tips to conserve water:
- Inspect for leaks. A silent toilet leak can be detected by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If color shows up in the bowl before you flush, you’ve got a leak. Remember also to check your irrigation system and outdoor faucets.
- Tighten up pipe connections.
- Consider replacing any fixtures if they’re beyond repair.
- When hand-washing dishes, block the sink or use a basin instead of running water continuously.
- Swap out your showerhead for a water-efficient model—they can use up to two-thirds less water.
- Turn off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it’s cold.
For additional details, visit the Missouri Public Service Commission’s website or check out the EPA’s Fix-a-Leak Week page
