The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has declared this week (March 15^, 2010 through March 21, 2010) the second annual “Fix a Leak Week.” The EPA is working with communities, retailers, plumbers, water utilities and manufacturers to promote this week in order to help consumers save water and in turn, save money.

According to an EPA press release, Peter Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water, “Easy-to-fix leaks in the average American home waste enough water each year to fill a backyard swimming pool. EPA created Fix a Leak Week to help homeowners save on their water bills and save water for future generations.”

If each home can waste enough to fill a background swimming pool, across the country this adds up to enough water to supply every household in Texas for a year. EPA is hoping to help consumers identify leaking faucets, toilets, garden hoses and showerheads and then make easy repairs.

Here are some of the tips the EPA offers for consumers:

-          Reduce faucet leaks by checking washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them; if it’s necessary to replace a faucet, look for the WaterSense label.

-       Silent toilet leaks can be found by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank and checking the bowl for color after a few minutes or before flushing. Replacing a worn rubber flapper is a quick fix, or look for the WaterSense label if you need a new toilet

-        For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection. For a landscape irrigation system, a WaterSense irrigation partner can check it in the spring to make sure fixtures were not damaged by frost or freezing.

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