Household water leaks can lead to significant water waste and inflated water bills. Here are some facts about leaks and their impact:
- Average Household Leaks:some text
- The average household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. To put this in perspective, that’s roughly equivalent to the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry.
- Nationwide, household leaks collectively waste more than 1 trillion gallons annually, which is equal to the annual household water use of over 11 million homes1.
- Common Types of Leaks:some text
- Common types of leaks found in homes include:some text
- Worn Toilet Flappers: These can cause continuous water flow from the tank to the bowl.
- Dripping Faucets: Even a small drip can add up over time.
- Leaking Valves: These can occur in various fixtures.
- Fortunately, most of these leaks are easily correctable.
- Common types of leaks found in homes include:some text
- Water Bill Savings:some text
- Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills.
- Simple repairs, such as fixing dripping faucets, toilet flappers, and showerheads, can make a difference.
- Consider retrofitting your household with new WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances to eliminate common leaks1.
- Detecting Leaks:some text
- To check for leaks, examine your winter water usage. If a family of four’s winter water use exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there may be a serious leak problem.
- Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter doesn’t read exactly the same, you likely have a leak.
- For toilet leaks, place a drop of food coloring in the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl within 10 minutes without flushing, there’s a leak.
- Leaky faucets and showerheads should also be addressed promptly1.
- Specific Leak Impact:some text
- A leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year—that’s equivalent to over 180 showers!
- A showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year—the amount needed to wash 60 dishwasher loads.
- If your toilet is leaking, an old, faulty toilet flapper is often the cause. Replacing it is a relatively easy, inexpensive DIY project that pays for itself quickly.
- Consider replacing older, inefficient toilets with new WaterSense labeled models to save even more water1.
- Remember, addressing leaks not only conserves water but also helps keep your water bills in check! 🚰💧
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