Public Service Commission: Fix-a-leak week

Contact: Elise Nelson 608-266-9600
Elise.Nelson@wisconsin.gov

March 14-20: Fix-a-Leak Week

(Madison) – Because minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin and the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program are promoting “Fix-a-Leak Week,” March 14-20, 2016, as a reminder to Wisconsin residents to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation system for leaks.

“Proper inspection and maintenance of appliances and plumbing fixtures in order to identify leaks is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to conserve water and save energy,” said PSC Chair Ellen Nowak. “The Commission encourages Wisconsin water utilities to provide information to their customers to help them eliminate leaks and wasteful water use.”

There are many ways to identify and repair dripping faucets, running toilets, and leaky showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly. In order to determine if a home has a water leak, customers should check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter number has changed after the two-hour period of non-use, a leak may be present. If a leak is present, a few simple steps may help customers save money:

-Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home with a constantly running toilet up to 200 gallons of water per day.
-Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.
-For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
-Landscape irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.

If homeowners have to replace a plumbing fixture, it may be prudent to first check for a WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled toilets, faucets, and showerheads have been independently tested and certified to save water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

WaterSense also partners with certified landscape irrigation auditors, designers, installers, and maintenance professionals.

For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit: epa.gov/watersense/our_water/fix_a_leak.html
For more on Wisconsin’s water conservation initiative, visit:
psc.wi.gov/conservation/water/wc-overview.htm