March 14 – 18 is National Fix-a-Leak Week, part of the US EPA’s initiative to educate people on the importance of water conservation. The facts about leaks are pretty amazing! For example, did you know that minor leaks add up to 1 trillion gallons of wasted water every year? Here are some more facts you might not know about leaky plumbing.
The Volume of Wasted Water
1 trillion gallons is a difficult number to wrap your head around. Think of it this way: the amount of water wasted by minor leaks is the same as the amount of water used annually by 11 million households in the USA. That’s an enormous amount of water. Most minor leaks can be fixed easily and quickly.
Sinks Aren’t the Only Culprits
10% of American homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons of water every day. Leaky sinks contribute to the problem, but a leaky shower that loses one drip per second can waste 500 gallons of water every year. A bath tub leaking at the same rate can waste 3,000 gallons of water a year!
You Can Help Save Water
You can do your part by having a professional check your faucets and their washers and gaskets to make sure they are functioning properly. If you have a plumber replace old components, you can save up to 10% on your water bill every month.
Be sure to ask your plumber about Water Sense compatible fixtures. These are approved by the EPA for their water conservation abilities. Call us today for more information!