Help With the Drought During Fix-A-Leak Week
Suzanne Potter, Producer
Monday, March 14, 2016
CARSON CITY, Nev. - American households waste 1 trillion gallons of water every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, mostly through seemingly small leaks. Today through Friday, it's Fix-A-Leak week, part of the WaterSense program.
Nevada is in its fifth year of drought, so the Nevada Public Utilities Commission is asking everyone to do their part and check for dripping faucets, shower heads, sprinklers and other fixtures. Peter Kostes, the agency's public information officer, said people waste a ton of water without realizing it.
"According to the EPA, household leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water in an average home every year," he said, "and that equates to the amount of water it takes to wash 270 loads of laundry."
One good tip? Check your toilet for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank, then wait 10 minutes and see if the color appears in the bowl.
Kostes reminds people not to forget about leaks in outdoor irrigation.
"Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections and replace fixtures if necessary," he said, "and then look for WaterSense-labeled replacement models, which use 20 percent less water and perform as well or better than standard models."
Visit epa.gov/watersense to find WaterSense labeled products or an auditor in your area who can analyze your household's water use.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…
Social Issues
Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …
Social Issues
Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …
Environment
New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…