WaterSense will soon celebrate its first “Fix a Leak Week,” March 16-20, 2009, in order to remind Americans to attack leaks in their household fixtures and irrigation systems. The organization reports that, over time, common household leaks waste both valuable water resources and money. On average, a U.S. household wastes more than 11,000 gallons of water per year — enough to fill a backyard swimming pool, EPA says.

Common types of leaks found in the home are leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are easily correctable, EPA says, and in many cases requiring only a few tools and hardware, such as a wrench and drops of food coloring, which will easily pay for themselves in water savings.

In addition, EPA suggests that if homeowners discover a significant leak that merits replacement of an older toilet or bathroom sink faucet, it urges consideration of a new WaterSense-labeled product that will not only put an end to the leak, but also increase water efficiency. WaterSense-labeled faucets use 30 percent less water without a noticeable difference in flow.

EPA says homeowners should check their water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used in order to discover leaks. More tips and information about Fix a Leak Week can be found at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak/index.htm.