Fix a Leak Week takes place March 14-20

Fix a Leak Week takes place March 14-20. Save water, save money.

Leaks can run, but they can't hide. Learn how to find and fix water leaks in your home.

The facts on indoor leaks:

• The average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry.
• Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons annually nationwide. That's equal to the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes.
• Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
• Common types of leaks found in the home include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. All of them are easily correctable.
• Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.

Keep your home leak-free by repairing dripping faucets, toilet flappers, and showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts don't require a major investment. Most common leaks can be eliminated after retrofitting a household with new WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances.

The facts on outdoor leaks:

• Outdoor water use can account for up to 50% of a home’s total water use

Outdoor water leaks can be found in many areas:

• Outdoor spigots
• Garden hose
• In-ground irrigation system lines, sprinkler heads
• Pools and saunas

Ways to detect outdoor leaks:

• Pooled water
• Soft, squishy, or sunken areas of the yard
• Regular re-filling of pool or sauna
• High water bills

It’s important to check your sprinkler system to find leaks, prevent overwatering and save water.