Fix a Leak Week is March 12th-18th

(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, an American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks.

That's more than 1 trillion gallons of water lost through leaks in U.S. homes each year. That's why March 12th-18th is known as Fix a Leak Week. It's an opportunity to remind ourselves and our neighbors to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems.

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) has a helpful Leak Detection Guide that provides suggestions on how to locate and fix leaks, as well as conservation tips so that you can save water and money year round. To download a copy of the guide, go to www.miamidade.gov/wasd/leak_detection.asp.

Saving wasted water is a daily activity for WASD. The department operates an award-winning, proactive Leak Detection Program that uses acoustical equipment to evaluate the more than 7,700 miles of water pipes in the County every nine months.

On March 18th, at Lowe's Store #1841, located at 17460 N.W. 57 Ave., Lowe's plumbing professionals will be providing hands-on demonstrations on fixing leaks from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  You can also learn how to save water and money with Miami-Dade County's water conservation incentive programs and attend composting, rain barrel, and Florida-friendly landscaping workshops presented by the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department and the Cooperative Extension Service.

To sign up for the rain barrel and water conservation workshops, visit www.miamidade.gov/conservation.  For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

It is the priority of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department to provide safe, reliable service to its customers. If you have any questions or concerns about your service, call the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department's Communications Center at 305-274-9272, 24 hours a day.