Each year, more than one trillion gallons of water are wasted by easy-to-fix household leaks, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPAs) WaterSense program. Thats why EPA is encouraging consumers to Be a Leak Detective during WaterSenses eighth annual Fix a Leak Week, March 14-20 by finding and fixing leaks around the home. 
Not only do leaks waste precious water, they could be adding 10 percent to your utility bill, said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. By taking just minutes to detect leaks at home, the average family could save more than 10,000 gallons of water every year.
Becoming a leak detective can be accomplished in three simple steps: check, twist and replace:
- Check for silent toilet leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank at the back of a toilet; wait 10 minutes, and if the color appears in the bowl, its a leak.
- Twist faucet, shower, and pipe connections tightly to avoid leaks, or screw on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator to save water and energy.
- Replace broken or leaky fixtures with WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use at least 20 percent less water and perform as well or better than standard models.
To learn more about detecting leaks or to find a Fix a Leak Week event in your community, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.
