Utility officials urge Nevadans to fix leaks, save water

As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ongoing “We’re for Water” campaign, this year’s Fix a Leak Week, March 16-22, encourages Americans to help put a stop to the more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted from household leaks each year. In support of the campaign, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada is encouraging consumers to find and fix residential leaks to save water in Nevada.

According to the EPA, household leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water in an average home every year — the amount of water it takes to wash 270 loads of laundry.

EPA’s Fix a Leak Week tips include:

Check for leaks by looking for dripping faucets, shower heads, sprinklers, and other fixtures. Also check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank, waiting 10 minutes, and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots.

Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections. To save water without a noticeable difference in flow in a bathroom, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.

Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

In many cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by handy do-it-yourselfers or local plumbing professionals. Irrigation professionals certified through a WaterSense labeled program can also check systems for leaks. To find WaterSense labeled products or a local auditor, go to www.epa.gov/watersense.