Northwest Environmental Defense Center (NEDC)
March 17, 2014: the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Fix a Leak” Week
Protecting the nation’s water is about more than protecting water quality. Water quantity and water quality are closely intertwined. As supplies of fresh water decrease we must be more cognizant about protecting the quality of that water. On the other hand, we can and should also focus on protecting and conserving the volume of fresh water available.
The first step to making a difference is being conscious of the problem. Many people are aware that wasting water has a negative impact on the environment. Sometimes we just need a reminder of how big that impact is so that we can start making changes in our lives to address it.
On average, Americans as individuals use more water than anyone else on the planet. While the majority of water used in residential settings is for outdoor purposes, leaks account for more than 5%.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing March 17 through 23, 2014 as the sixth annual Fix a Leak Week. EPA has identified and asked you to implement three simple steps to identify and fix leaks:
- Check for leaks - dripping faucets, shower heads or fixture connections, toilet leaks, or irrigation systems and spigots
- Twist and tighten pipe connections
- Replace the fixture if necessary
After fixing any water leaks in your home, don’t forget to use these fairly well known and easy to implement measures to further reduce the volume of water your household uses on a daily basis:
- Keep showers short
- Turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth
- Reduce the volume of water in your toilet bowl
- Be conscious about the amount of water you use on a daily basis
Happy Fix a Leak Week!