March 15, 2021 – Rowland Water District customers who take a short survey about water leaks at www.rwd.org will be entered to win a smart irrigation controller as part of Fix-a-Leak Week, March 15-21.
The District encourages the public to conserve water by locating and repairing water leaks in and around their homes and businesses.
“Undetected leaks can waste tens of thousands of gallons of water each year,” said Rowland Water District General Manager Tom Coleman. “Taking a few minutes to locate and fix these issues will help conserve water and save money in the long run.”
Many people overlook small leaks or drips, but these seemingly minor issues can quickly add up to significant waste. For example, a faucet that drips once every second will waste 3,000 gallons over the course of a year. Toilets can leak 200 gallons of water each day, or more than 72,000 gallons a year! In many cases, replacing the flapper inside the tank is an inexpensive and easy fix. To see if a toilet is leaking, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 10 minutes. If the color shows up in the bowl, there is a leak.
It is also important to look for leaks outside. Inspect your irrigation system at least twice a year to identify and replace broken sprinkler heads, which can be unscrewed for quick and simple replacement. If a garden hose sprays water when attached to a spigot, replacing the washer inside the hose will typically fix the leak.
Fix a Leak Week (FALW) is an annual celebration sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Program. The event encourages people to find and fix household leaks to save money and water.
For additional ideas on how to identify and repair leaks, visit the Rowland Water District online guide to fixing leaks at www.rwd.org/checking-for-leaks-at-home/.