This week - March 15-21, 2010 - is "Fix a Leak Week", something the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency organized to raise awareness and to encourage people to cut back on water usage.
Did you know that "between 1950 and 2000, the U.S. population increased nearly 90% -- and the nation's water use increased 209%, and the average American uses 100 gallons of water a day"? (U.S. EPA, cited in WaterSense Label Identifies Green Fixtures)
With a few days left officially to make the most of the week (and the whole weekend ahead) we thought we'd pass on a few more simple tips for saving water around the house. Many of the best steps you can take to save water are simple fixes.
- Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if replacement is needed, hire a professional to install a WaterSense-labeled model.
- Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Getting the rubber flapper replaced is a quick fix that could save a home with a constantly running toilet up to 200 gallons of water per day.
- 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.
- Landscape irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.
These tips courtesy of CAL-STEAM, one of Boden Plumbing's wholesale suppliers.
For more information on "Fix a Leak Week," visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.
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