Livingston 'Fix A Leak Week' Can Help Local Homeowners

From the Township of Livingston: The Township of Livingston is recognizing Fix a Leak Week—Monday, March 20 through Sunday, March 26, 2017—by sharing resources to help residents identify and repair household leaks. Fixing leaks could save residents 10 percent on their water bills, according to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Fix a Leak Week is an annual, national event sponsored by the EPA’s WaterSense program. The purpose of the campaign is to provide resources to help Americans put a stop to the more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted due to household leaks each year. Livingston became a WaterSense partner in June 2016 as part of a commitment to water conservation.

“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,” said Mayor Shawn Klein. “Livingston is proud to be a WaterSense partner. We encourage everyone to find and fix leaks in their homes; saving water in our community helps keep dollars in our residents' pockets.”

The EPA recommends that homeowners read their water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. Any change in the meter indicates a possible leak. Winter is a good time to check water use; if a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month in the winter, there are likely leaks in the home.

Worn toilet flappers are one common cause of leaks that can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day and increase the amount of a household’s water bill.

“The Township of Livingston is offering free “Toilet Leak Detection Tablets,” which can be picked up at the Public Works and Water Department counter on the second floor of Town Hall,” said Livingston Township Jr. Utility Engineer Nathan Kiracofe. “The tablets make it easy to find leaks, which will help residents save money and avoid wasting water.”

To check for toilet leaks, put a leak detection tablet or a few drops of food coloring into the tank, wait 10 minutes, and then see if color appears in the bowl. Be sure to flush after using the dye to keep it from staining the toilet.

To help cut costs and save water for future generations, residents can “check, twist, and replace”:

• Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, sprinklers, toilets, and other fixtures. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots too.
• Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections.
• Replace the fixture if necessary. If a new fixture is needed, consider looking for WaterSense labeled models.

To learn more about Fix a Leak Week and other water conservation efforts and resources in Livingston, visit www.livingstonnj.org.

For helpful hints on how to check for and fix leaks, educational activities for kids, and more information on how to save water, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

Image via Flickr Commons