It’s simple and easy: Fix leaks to save water and money

Did you know that ten percent of American homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day? Over a year, this adds up to nearly 1 trillion gallons of water waste nationwide. Did you also know that in the Valley, most water use occurs outdoors and not inside the home? With such a significant amount of our water being used outside, it highlights the importance of finding and fixing leaks outside in addition to the ones within the home.

The reality is that leaks are a major drain on the country's drinking water supply. It is so critical that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense Program devotes a week each year to remind us about the importance of finding and fixing our leaks. Fix A Leak Week is dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging homeowners to find and fix leaks in their homes and yards. Keeping those leaks in check is quite simple and does not require a lot of your time. When it comes to saving water, even small steps like fixing household leaks can have a significant impact, but sometimes, it's hard to know exactly where to start and how to tell if your home is water efficient.

The AMWUA cities have worked hard to create multiple resources for residents and businesses to become more efficient and fix those leaks. They have professional staff  available to offer advice and insight into the simple process of finding and fixing leaks around your home and in your yard. 

An essential resource that walks you through the step-by-step process of tracking down leaks using the isolation method and provides links to helpful DIY repair videos is the Smart Home Water Guide  website. It was created by the ten AMWUA cities' water conservation staff, who translated their experience, knowledge, and methods into short and clearly illustrated lessons anyone can understand to help fix leaks and save water. The Smart Home Water Guide  website's valuable information is also available in Spanish on the Guia Para Detectar Fugas  website. Both websites show homeowners how to find leaks inside and outside - and how even the least talented do-it-yourselfers can utilize the methods highlighted to better understand precisely how simple it can be to fix leaks. Both websites also include a helpful glossary containing the vocabulary most often used by professionals in the industry so homeowners know the basics when explaining problems to plumbers and landscapers.

Even with our strong water conservation ethic here in the Valley, we can all use a friendly reminder to check for leaks and learn new ways to save water, and Fix a Leak A Week seems like a perfect time to do so. Especially knowing that fixing common household leaks, including leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets, irrigation sprinklers, and other leaking valves, can help save ten percent or more water. And in the desert, every drop counts.

Want to Dive Deeper into Your Household Water-Use?

Many things impact each household's unique water use. The AMWUA Water Use Calculator lets you enter information about your household's water use habits. This tool will estimate how much water you need for optimal monthly water usage based on the information you provided. When you understand your monthly water use, a higher-than-average water bill can signal a leak or be a simple reminder to practice water conservation regularly.

To print or save this week's blog, a PDF version is available HERE .

For 55 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities' ability to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .