Missouri Public Service Commission

JEFFERSON CITY---Water leaks in your home cost you money. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminds everyone to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems each year in March during Fix-a-Leak Week.

According to the EPA, household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water a year nationwide. For example, a leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That’s the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers. A showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons a year—that’s the amount of water it takes to wash 60 loads of dishes in your dishwasher.

The EPA states the average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and 10 percent of the homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more of water a day. Common types of leaks found in the home include: worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets and other leaking valves. According to the EPA, fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.

“Repairing leaks and other water conservation efforts can have a positive effect on your water bill while at the same time protecting one of our most valuable resources,” said Missouri Public Service Commission Chairman Scott Rupp.

To help consumers find and repair easy-to-fix leaks and to promote conservation, the Missouri Public Service Commission is supporting the EPA’s Fix-a-Leak Week, March 20-26, 2023.

Here are some tips to save water:
-- Check for leaks. Silent toilet leaks can be found by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots, too.
-- Twist and tighten pipe connections.
-- Replace the fixture if necessary.
-- Plug up the sink or use a wash basin if washing dishes by hand.
-- Install a water saving showerhead; they use one-third the amount of water that a regular showerhead uses.
-- Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth.
-- Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.

For more information, please visit the Missouri Public Service Commission website at www.psc.mo.gov or the EPA at www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week.

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