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Earth Gauge: Fix a Leak Week

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By Nick Piesco - email

March 14 through 20 is the third annual Fix a Leak Week, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the average home every year—enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. But stopping leaks is as easy as "check, twist, replace."

  • Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads and fixture connections. Find silent toilet leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank, waiting 10 minutes and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Don't forget to check irrigation systems and spigots outdoors.
  • Twist and tighten pipe connections. To save more water in the bathroom without a noticeable difference in flow, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.
  • Replace fixtures if necessary. Look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well or better than standard models.

This information is provided by the U.S. EPA's WaterSense Program. Learn more at www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/fix_a_leak.html.

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