PA Environment Digest

To draw attention to the more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes due to leaks, PA American Water this week announced its support for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Fix a Leak Week,” by launching a short video to advise homeowners on ways to save water and money by finding and repairing leaks. Fix a Leak Week runs March 14-20.

“We produced and posted the video to raise awareness that leaks, if left undetected, can waste thousands of gallons of water in the home every year,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Kathy L. Pape. “By participating in EPA’s Fix A Leak Week and WaterSense program, we want to emphasize to customers that water conservation not only saves money, but it also helps to preserve our precious water resources.”

PA American Water produced the three-minute video showing how to check for leaks throughout a household and how to make easy, inexpensive repairs, which can save thousands of gallons of water over the course of a year. Homeowners can view the video via the company’s YouTube channel or its Facebook page.

PA American Water is a member of the EPA’s WaterSense program and conducts ongoing customer education focused on wise water use to help conserve water supplies now and for future generations.

In addition, the company recommends the following tips to help save water lost by leaks:

-- Regularly check your toilet, faucets, and pipes for leaks. PA American Water offers leak detection kits, which are available in the Learning Center of the company’s website. If you find a leak, have it fixed as soon as possible;

-- Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replace them, or, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense-labeled model;

-- 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 up to 200 gallons of water per day;

-- 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;

-- Check your garden and lawn irrigation system for leaks, or hire a certified WaterSense expert to check it for you; and

-- Consider installing water and energy-efficient appliances. The EPA reports that certified Energy Star washing machines use up to 35 percent less water per load. Water-saving shower heads, toilets and faucet aerators also help cut your water usage.

If homeowners have to replace plumbing fixtures, look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense-labeled toilets and faucets are independently tested and certified to save water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

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