Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

The average U.S. home wastes more than 11,000 gallons of water each year, enough to fill an Olympic size swimming pool. That’s more than 1 trillion gallons nationally.

Together with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is promoting “Fix a Leak Week,” March 18 - 24, 2013. Fix a Leak Week is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program as an annual reminder to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

“One of the simplest ways consumers can save is to identify and mitigate leaks in their home,” PUCO Chairman Todd A. Snitchler said. “The PUCO is participating in Fix a Leak Week to help homeowners save money on their utility bills and to help save water in our community.”

To help consumers here in Ohio and across the country save water, the PUCO, EPA and WaterSense are promoting ways to identify and repair dripping faucets, running toilets and leaky showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers or your favorite handy person or plumber. Below are a few water-saving tips:

• Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet and showerhead washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.

• 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, affordable fix.

• For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.

“You could run more than 280 loads of laundry with the water that comes from leaks in an average home,” Ohio EPA Director Scott Nally said. “Fixing leaks is important because it helps to conserve our water resources.”

Introduced in 2006, WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by EPA that makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment by identifying water-efficient products, services and homes. The WaterSense label can be found on toilets and bathroom faucets. Products that have earned the WaterSense label have been independently tested to meet water-efficiency specifications set by EPA. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find a WaterSense labeled product in your area. For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com.