EPA Chases Leaks in New Mexico during Seventh Annual “Fix a Leak Week"

From EPA:

EPA Chases Leaks in New Mexico during Seventh Annual “Fix a Leak Week"

Contact: Joe Hubbard or Jennah Durant at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

DALLAS – (March 16, 2015) Dripping faucets and leaky toilets account for a large portion of home water waste. Every year, more than 10,000 gallons of water is wasted in homes due to easy-to-fix leaks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is encouraging consumers to “Fix a leak” during the WaterSense’s seventh annual celebration on March 16 - 22, 2015.  

This year EPA is teaming up with New Mexico Office of the State Engineer to promote a statewide media campaign featuring a “Bad Flapper” from the 1920s. The commercials will help resident learn how to fix worn toilet flappers and activities for kids. They will also participate in the Rio Rancho’s FALW event on March 21st and demonstrate how to read a water meter, which can help determine if there are leaks in the system. For more information visit: http://www.ose.state.nm.us/FixALeak/.

“We are proud to recognize New Mexico Office of State Engineer as one of the leaders in the Southwest, helping to preserve one of our most limited resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “Our WaterSense partners are helping build stronger, more resilient water systems to meet the challenges ahead.”

EPA’s Fix a Leak Week tips include:

Check for leaks: Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, and fixture connections. Also check toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back of the toilet and wait 10 minutes before flushing to see if color shows up in the bowl. If you saw color, you probably need a new toilet flapper, which is an easy repair to make. Check irrigation systems and spigots too.

Twist and tighten pipe connections: If your showerhead is dripping, make sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem. It may just need a twist to tighten or some pipe tape to secure it.

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.

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services. Since the program's inception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save 487 billion gallons of water and $8.9 billion in water and energy bills.

Learn more about fixing leaks, find a certified irrigation professional, or search for WaterSense labeled plumbing and irrigation products: www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.

Connect with EPA Region 6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6  

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

Activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm 

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