According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide. Leaks in the average household can account for approximately 10,000 gallons of water wasted each year.
March 14-20, 2022 is National Fix a Leak Week, a campaign hosted by the EPA WaterSense Program to encourage household inspections for water leaks to save water, energy, and possibly even money on utility bills.
In celebration of Fix a Leak Week, Concord General Services is hosting a Royal Leak Detection contest for Concord residents. Residents can submit a contest entry form and/or share on social media how they have found and fixed water leaks for a chance to win a free WaterSense labeled toilet. WaterSense-labeled products are certified to use at least 20% less water without sacrificing performance. Residents can enter the contest both ways to double their chance to win. Contest entry forms are available on the City’s website or at the City’s Utility Billing Office at 311 North State Street. Social media entries must tag Concord General Services @ConcordNHGS in a public post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. All contest entries must be received by 5 p.m. on March 20, 2022.
Free Toilet Leak Dye Test Kits are also available at the Utility Billing Office to bring home and perform a quick and easy toilet leak test. Alternatively, food coloring can be used and an instructional “How to Detect a Toilet Leak” video is available online to follow along. Even small leaks can waste a lot of water. Sometimes leaks can be silent and go undetected until noticing an increase in your water bill.
“A spike in your water bill is usually an indicator that there is a water leak somewhere,” stated Terri Segalini, Utility Billing Program Manager at Concord General Services. “The leading culprit is usually a running toilet. Customers are surprised to learn how much water a leaky toilet can use, causing a higher bill.” Water customers are encouraged to monitor bills and water consumption regularly to notice any fluctuations. Common leaks that can be found in the home include dripping faucets, worn toilet flappers, and other leaking valves.
“Most leaks are easy to fix. Sometimes tightening a valve or fixture can be all that is needed,” stated Ian Chase, Water Conservation Technician for Concord General Services. “Other times, it may be better to just update old leaky fixtures with newer models. WaterSense-labeled products are recommended because they are certified for water efficiency and performance, saving more water in the long term.”
Find and fix household leaks for Fix a Leak Week to save water and possibly even save money on utility bills. Kick-off Fix a Leak Week by joining Concord General Services for a Twitter Party on Monday, March 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. Join the live national conversation about how to find and fix water leaks and tweet along using the hashtag #FixaLeak. Learn more about Fix a Leak Week, how to find leaks, the EPA WaterSense Program, and the Royal Leak Detection contest at www.concordnh.gov/leaks.
