Grab a Wrench: It's Fix a Leak Week

Homes in the United States lose more than one trillion gallons of water each year from easy-to-fix leaks. That’s why the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (Metro Water District) is participating in “Fix a Leak Week” March 12 to 18 and encouraging residents and businesses in metro Atlanta to detect and fix leaks in homes and offices. 

Sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program, Fix a Leak Week is an opportunity to improve the water efficiency by checking for and fixing leaks. 

“Identifying and addressing water leaks in your home conserves water and can save you money on your water bill. It’s simple to do and can make a big difference” said Boyd Austin, Chairman of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District.

Here’s how to identify and address leaks around your home and office:

• Most leaky showerheads can be fixed by making sure they’re screwed in tight. Having someone handy wrap the showerhead in “pipe tape,” a special tape available at hardware stores, and using a wrench to tighten it will help.

• Search for toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 15 minutes. If any color shows up in the bowl without flushing first, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after doing this test to avoid staining the tank.)

• A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.  To save more water without a noticeable difference in flow, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.

• If it is time to replace a fixture, 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. The Metro Water District and participating water providers are offering a toilet rebate program to customers replacing their older, less-efficient toilets with an approved low-flow toilet. Visit www.northgeorgiawater.org/toiletrebate or call 404-463-8645 for more information.

As a WaterSense partner concerned with preserving our nation’s water supply, the Metro Water District can help you learn more. The Metro Water District website has a number of educational resources such as the Do It Yourself Household Water Audit which shows you how to read your water bill, estimate your in-home water usage and how to conserve water through simple behavior changes. 

“Fix a Leak Week” is March 12 to 18. Grab a wrench or contact your favorite handy person, plumber, or WaterSense irrigation partner to address leaking toilets, faucets, and irrigation systems around your home. Visit the WaterSense Web site to learn more.