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Water leaks turn drops into dollars
Page Content Some facts about water leaks from the Environmental Protection Agency:
- Leaks can account for, on average, 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, which is enough to fill a backyard swimming pool.
- The amount of water leaked from U.S. homes could exceed more than 1 trillion gallons per year. That's equivalent to the annual water use of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami combined.
- Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
- Common types of leaks found in the home include leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. All are easily correctable.
- Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners more than 10 percent on their water bills.
- Keep your home leak-free by repairing dripping faucets, toilet valves, and showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts don't require a major investment and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers.
- The vast majority of leaks can be eliminated after retrofitting a household with new WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances.
| Size or type of leak |
Approximate
gallons/month |
Approximate
cost/month |
| 1/32-inch |
6,100 |
$35.63 |
| Silent leak |
7,000 |
$39.03 |
| 1/16-inch leak |
25,000 |
$184.35 |
| Open toilet flap |
86,400 |
$819.73 |
| 1/8-inch leak |
98,000 |
$939.78 |
Leaking toilet
- Remove the tank lid. (Don’t worry, this water is clean until it enters the bowl.)
- Add some food coloring or a dye tablet to turn the water a different color. Put the tank lid back on.
- After about 30 minutes, look in the bowl. If you see colored water, you have a leak. If the water is clear, water is not leaking from the tank to the bowl.
- If you have a leak, there are a number of possible causes. If you remove the tank lid and can easily identify the cause, correct the problem and try your leak test again. Consider that “fixes” such as bending the float back to shape, or adjusting how the rubber flapper falls, often end up failing soon afterward. In most cases, you will simply want to replace the toilet flapper (the rubber thing at the bottom of the tank that keeps water in the tank) and/or the filling mechanism.
Leaking faucet
- A leaking faucet is frequently the result of a bad rubber washer. The washer on a sink is typically located under the handle.
- A washer is relatively easy to replace, if you have the right tools. It does require shutting off the water under the faucet, and removing the handle.
- Check local home centers or the Internet (keywords “repairing leaky faucets”) for instructions on how to repair faucet leaks.
- If you don’t feel comfortable doing the repair yourself, a plumber may be your best option. Remember, even if you have to pay a plumber to fix the leak, you will end up saving money in the long run.
Don't see a large leak but have an unusal bill?
- Sometimes you may have a leak and not know it. The best indication will be a large bill compared to past use. Your Colorado Springs Utilities bill includes usage charts for water and energy for the last 12 months.
- When in doubt, consider contacting a professional to check your lines.
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