Leaky faucets, toilet flappers and showerheads are common sources of wasted water. To help reduce the amount of water lost through minor household leaks, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) encourages citizens to check their homes and irrigation systems for leaks during “Fix a Leak Week,” March 18-24. This week-long celebration, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense® program, is an annual reminder to consumers to find and fix leaks around the home to help save water and improve water efficiency.

“An undetected leak is a waste of our valuable, life-giving resource - drinking water,” said DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins. “Fix a Leak Week is an opportunity to urge customers to identify and repair household leaks and provide information to help reduce water waste and preserve our water supply. We can all help to keep this vital resource flowing by using water wisely.”

According to EPA, more than 1 trillion gallons of water is wasted in American households each year. EPA estimates 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Consumers can help shrink their water footprint by retrofitting their homes with water-efficient products. WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficient appliances can help eliminate most common household leaks. These products use about 20 percent less water and perform at least as well as standard models.

To promote Fix a Leak Week, DC Water is hosting a special event at Home Depot, 901 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, on Wednesday, March 20 from 12 – 2 p.m. DC Water representatives will demonstrate how to install water-efficient plumbing fixtures and identify household leaks. Complimentary aerators, leak detection tablets and water conservation information will be distributed at the event.

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