Home & Garden

Leaky Faucet Can Waste 90 Gallons of Water Every Day

One in every 10 homes has a leak according to EPA which is sponsoring Fix a Leak Week to call attention to the issue.

Peachtree Corners homeowners, do you have a dripping faucet that you've not taken the time to repair? If so, it could be costing you more than you realize.

"Easy-to-fix household leaks waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, which is equal to the amount of water used by more than 11 million homes," said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Acting Administrator for the Office of Water Nancy Stoner.

The organization is sponsoring Fix a Leak Week to bring attention to both homeowners and businesses on the importance of keeping faucets in good repair.

Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We’re not just wasting water; families also lose money from leaks with higher utility bills. That’s why Fix a Leak Week is so important, and why we encourage everyone to take a few simple steps that add up to make a significant positive impact."

According to the EPA, it takes just 10 minutes for businesses and homeowners to: check winter water bills and fixtures for water waste; twist and tighten pipe and hose connections; and consider replacing broken or inefficient fixtures with WaterSense-labeled models.

Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Check your bills, Peachtree Corners!

If winter water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, it’s likely that the home has a leak problem. Here are some easy fixes suggested by the EPA:

  • Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back and, if after 10 minutes, color shows up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to make an easy repair and replace the flapper.
  • Check outdoor hoses for damage from winter frost and tighten connections at the water source.
  • For in-ground sprinkler systems, a professional certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can inspect sprinkler heads and pipes for signs of leakage and help homeowners maintain an efficient system and healthy lawn.
  • Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures for leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.

Learn more about fixing leaks, find a certified irrigation professional, or search for WaterSense labeled plumbing and irrigation products on the EPA website.

Too big of an issue to handle yourself? Click here to check our directory listings for a Peachtree Corners plumber.

Keep up with community news - subscribe to the free Peachtree Corners Patch newsletter delivered via email every day.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Peachtree Corners