{"id":18500,"date":"2015-03-16T10:06:25","date_gmt":"2015-03-16T14:06:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress-367309-1145705.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=18500"},"modified":"2015-03-16T10:06:25","modified_gmt":"2015-03-16T14:06:25","slug":"plug-that-water-leak-and-drop-the-waste-fix-a-leak-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/plug-that-water-leak-and-drop-the-waste-fix-a-leak-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Plug That Water Leak And Drop The Waste: Fix A Leak Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"fixing<\/a><\/p>\n

Editor’s note:<\/strong> Since we’ve tightened our focus to waste issues<\/a>, we’re stayed focused mostly on solid wastes… but that doesn’t mean we’re not concerned about misuse of other resources. So we’re grateful to the the EPA’s WaterSense program for sharing this post on Fix a Leak Week<\/a> (which is this week). Take a look at the things you can do to\u00a0fix a water leak (and what you can save doing it!).<\/p>\n

by Karen Wirth, WaterSense marketing and outreach coordinator<\/strong>
\n U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

A couple drips coming from your kitchen faucet, showerhead, or sprinkler connection might not seem like a lot, but even the smallest leak means major water waste<\/a>\u2014not to mention higher water bills. In fact, the average American family wastes more than 10,000 gallons of water and 10 percent on their water bills each year from easy-to-fix leaks. That\u2019s the amount of water it takes to wash 270 loads of laundry!<\/p>\n

To help Americans reduce the more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted in U.S. homes annually from leaks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s WaterSense\u00ae program declared Fix a Leak Week March 16-22, 2015. Look at your monthly water bill from January or February; if it is higher than 12,000 gallons for a family of four, you probably have a serious leak. Or check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the reading has changed, something\u2019s leaking!<\/p>\n

Celebrate Fix a Leak Week this year by checking your home for leaks! Start by twisting and tightening plumbing connections, and replace old or broken fixtures with WaterSense labeled models, which are certified to save water and perform well. Here are four places to look around your home to stop water waste:<\/p>\n