Did you know that Americans waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water from household leaks each year? 

To raise awareness of ways to reduce that number, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association is promoting the March 12-18 “Fix a Leak Week.”  The observance is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program as an annual reminder to Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

“As a WaterSense partner, we’re pleased to be part of this important effort to advise homeowners on how to save money and conserve natural resources,” said PHCC President Keith Bienvenu.  “As trained professionals in water conservation, our members are ready to assist customers with their efforts to help save water for future generations.”

Prior to and during the observance, PHCC and WaterSense are promoting ways to identify and repair dripping faucets, running toilets and leaky showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly. 

This year’s campaign asks consumers to “check, twist, and replace”:

• Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads and fixture connections. Also check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank and seeing if it appears in the bowl before you flush. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots, too.


• Twist and tighten pipe connections. To save more water without a noticeable difference in flow, twist on a WaterSense-labeled faucet aerator.


• Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for WaterSense-labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20% less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

If a plumbing fixture needs to be replaced, PHCC reminds homeowners to hire a professional to ensure proper installation, warranty protection and to maximize water efficiency.  Click here to find a WaterSense-labeled product.

For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.