Conserve water by finding and fixing household leaks

The importance of preventing household water waste and practicing water conservation, is done in recognition of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Fix A Leak Week, March 18–24.

Water conservation matters, even in a water-rich state like Wisconsin. The United States wastes nearly 1 trillion gallons of water, each year, because of household leaks.

Fix A Leak Week is the perfect time to fix any leaks that have been put off. To make it easy for residents, the EPA’s Fix A Leak Week webpage provides guidance on detecting and fixing the most common of household leaks.

The following water-protecting, money-saving ideas can be used to to stop water waste in a household:

• Check the meter over a period when water isn’t being used. If it goes down, there’s probably a leak.

• Tighten the showerhead. Ensuring a tight connection between the showerhead and pipe stem can reduce water use by up to 500 gallons a year.

• Inspect outdoor faucets and irrigation systems each spring, to ensure frost or winter freezing didn’t damage the pipes. A leak as small as 1/32 of an inch can result in nearly 6,300 gallons of water waste a month.

• Reach out to experts if a leak can’t be fixed or located. Consulting a plumber can help ensure there’s a leak-free residence for years. Standard plumbing upgrades include installing WaterSense-labeled products, for a more energy-efficient and water-wise household. Leaks can happen anywhere. Not only is it essential to find and fix leaks in the household, but it’s also important to look for and report leaks at a workplace.

For more information, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov.