Don’t be a water waster – Check for leaks at home

DEM Blogger

March 18, 2019

Kentucky American Water is leveraging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week to help customers decrease water waste and better manage their water bills. The annual Fix a Leak Week campaign, organized by the EPA’s WaterSense program, will be observed this week, March 18-24. The national campaign helps to raise awareness about small leaks and other water issues that may waste water within homes and businesses.

“Kentucky American Water understands that customers want practical tips to help them manage their water use and their monthly utility expenses,” said Susan Lancho, external affairs manager. “Quickly identifying and fixing toilet and waterline leaks around the home is one way that customers can help reduce water waste and better manage their water bills.”

According to the EPA, the average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Common types of leaks found in homes are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets and leaking valves. These types of leaks are typically easy to fix and require only a few tools and materials.

Kentucky American Water offers these tips for detecting leaks:

• For toilet leaks, place a drop of food coloring in your toilet tank and see if the water in the bowl changes colors within 10 minutes. (Do not flush.) If so, you have a leak.
• At least once a season—and especially after extreme temperature changes—check faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for surface leaks, indicated by water on the exterior of the pipes.

Download a leak detection kit at https://amwater.com/kyaw/water-information/detecting-leaks for more information.  Include children in learning with interactive games and more at https://www.epa.gov/watersense/watersense-kids#tab-4.

Source: Kentucky American Water