Green Living: Fix a Leak, Save Water and Money

Does your toilet keep running long after you flush? Have you put off repairing that leaky faucet because it's only a little drip? 

Well, even little drips can add up to hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water waste if allowed to continue for weeks or months. Now is the time to fix those leaks and save money on your next water bill!/9

Sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense® program, Fix a Leak Week encourages Americans to help put a stop to the more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted from household leaks each year.

This year's Fix a Leak Week is March 18 through 24. To help save water in our community, Gwinnett County is asking residents to look, listen, and repair:

• Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, tub spouts, and fixture connections. Remember to check outdoor spigots, too.
• Listen for hissing or trickling noises coming from your toilet or water refilling the tank in between flushes. Also check for silent leaks by putting a teaspoon of food coloring into the tank and seeing if it appears in the bowl before you flush.
• Repair leaks by bringing the defective part to your local hardware or plumbing store to find the correct replacement. If you buy a new fixture, look for WaterSense® labeled models, which are independently tested and certified to use 20 percent less water.

To learn more about how to find and fix leaks in your home, attend one of our free Fix a Leak Workshops held on March 19 and March 23.

March 19 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center
75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville 

 March 23 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Centerville Community Center 
3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville   

Call 678.376.6722 or email dwrconserve@gwinnettcounty.com for more details or to register.