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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
CCWA Celebrates Fix a Leak Week March 15 - 21
CCWA joins EPA's WaterSense® Program to encourage customers to check their household plumbing fixtures for leaks
Because minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) is promoting “Fix a Leak Week,” March 15 through 21, 2010.
Fix a Leak Week is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense® program as an annual reminder to Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.
“Leaks can add up to more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted at home every year—that’s enough to fill a backyard swimming pool,” said Mike Thomas, CCWA General Manager. “We are participating in Fix a Leak Week to help homeowners save money on their utility bills and to help save water in our community and for future generations.”
To help consumers in Clayton County and across the country save water, CCWA 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 and are easy to install. Following are a few water-saving tips:
• Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.
• Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home with a constantly running toilet up to 200 gallons of water per day.
• For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
• Landscape irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.
If homeowners have to replace a plumbing fixture, Clayton County Water Authority reminds them to look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled toilets, faucets, and (soon) showerheads have been independently tested and certified to save water and perform as well as or better than standard models. WaterSense also partners with certified landscape irrigation auditors, designers, installers, and maintenance professionals. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find a WaterSense labeled product, or an irrigation partner in your area.
For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water. For more information on WaterSense, and for a full list of labeled products and WaterSense irrigation and builder partners, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.
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Media Contact:
Suzanne Brown, CCWA Public Information Officer
Office: 770.960.6972
Cell: 770.652.6560
Email: sbrown@ccwa.us