The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is highlighting the importance of preventing household water waste and practicing water conservation in recognition of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Fix A Leak Week, March 18–24, 2024.
Water conservation matters, even in a water-rich state like Wisconsin. The United States wastes nearly 1 trillion gallons of water each year due to household leaks.
Fix A Leak Week is the perfect time to fix any leaks you’ve been putting off. To make it easy for residents, the EPA’s Fix A Leak Week webpage provides guidance on detecting and fixing the most common household leaks.
Try these water-protecting, money-saving ideas to stop water waste in your household:
- Check your meter over a period when water isn’t being used. If it still goes up, you probably have a leak.
- Tighten your showerhead. Ensuring a tight connection between the showerhead and pipe stem can reduce water use by up to 500 gallons a year.
- Inspect outdoor faucets and irrigation systems each spring to ensure frost or winter freezing didn’t damage the pipes. A leak as small as 1/32 of an inch can result in nearly 6,300 gallons of water waste a month.
- Reach out to experts if you can’t fix or locate a leak. Consulting a plumber can help ensure you have a leak-free residence for years. Standard plumbing upgrades include installing WaterSense-labeled products for a more energy-efficient and water-wise household.
- Leaks can happen anywhere. Not only is it essential to find and fix leaks in your household, but it’s also important to look for and report leaks at your workplace.
To learn more about finding leaks in your home or business and easy ways to fix them, visit the DNR’s Water Conservation and Efficiency webpage at: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WaterUse/conservation.html.