EPA’s Fix a Leak Week Highlights the Importance of Indoor and Outdoor Water Efficiency

Mark your calendars for EPA's annual Fix a Leak Week, which takes place March 18 through 24, 2024. The commemorative week is a yearly reminder to inspect and fix leaks around the home to save valuable water and money. According to the EPA, indoor and outdoor household leaks can waste nearly one trillion gallons of water annually nationwide. Common leaks include worn toilet flaps, dripping faucets or appliances, as well as outdoor irrigation equipment. Checking and addressing these leaks can effectively conserve available water resources and save homeowners money on their water bills.  
Water loss within the home is common among communities with older homes and fixtures. Replacing older fixtures, such as showerheads, toilets, and faucets, with more water-efficient ones can be a cost-effective and reliable strategy for reducing leaks and overall indoor residential water use. According to the Alliance for Water Efficiency’s 2016 Residential End Use of Water Study, indoor household water use could drop by 35 percent or more if all devices in a household were high-efficiency devices, such as WaterSense-labeled products. To encourage homeowners to retrofit their fixtures, communities can offer incentives or rebates for residents who replace their devices with more water-efficient ones. An example of this approach can be seen through the City of Joliet’s water conservation incentive program and low-flow toilet rebate program.   

Outdoor irrigation systems can also be a potential source of outdoor water leaks. Fix a Leak Week is a great time to check in-ground irrigation systems and make sure that there is no damage from frost or freezing temperatures before using them in the spring. WaterSense-certified professionals can help detect and fix these leaks. To further improve outdoor water efficiency, households can install hardware like WaterSense-labeled irrigation controllers, which use local weather and soil conditions to adjust watering schedules.  
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These are just a few ways NWPA communities and individuals can start to address leaks and conserve water in their homes. For more helpful resources on addressing leaks and improving indoor and outdoor water efficiency, check out the EPA Fix a Leak Week website and resources from the NWPA.