PALM SPRINGS, CALIF.—On September 18, World Water Monitoring Day will focus attention on protecting and preserving water resources around the world. In recognition of this international awareness campaign, American Leak Detection, specializing in the accurate, non-invasive detection of all types of leaks, asks citizens nationwide to become more “water wise,” and take steps in to conserve and protect this critical resource.
“Water is the most common substance found on Earth, but we can’t make or produce new water,” according to Stan Berenbaum, president of American Leak Detection. “That’s why it’s so important to conserve and manage the water we have.”
That means detecting and fixing leaks in plumbing, swimming pools, and irrigation in and around your property and focusing on some simple conservation measures that can add up to big water savings. Berenbaum recommends starting with a few basic “checks and changes” to jump start your conservation efforts.
Faucets
• Check for dripping faucets or shower valves. If a drip fills an 8-ounce glass in 15 minutes, the faucet will waste about 180 gallons of water per month, or 2,160 gallons a year. Simple fix: Try replacing the cartridge, washer or valve seat.
• Change to a low-flow faucet to save an average of 3.5 gallons per minute.
Toilets
• Check for leaks. Drop a teaspoon of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color appears in the bowl in about 15 minutes, replace the flapper valve.
• Change to a low-flow toilet to save nearly 3.5 gallons per flush. To save even more, place an empty plastic water bottle filled with pebbles in the toilet tank as a simple water displacement device.
Pool/Spa
• Check for constantly running auto-fill, increased use of chemicals and a high evaporation rate. All could indicate a pool leak. (Note: Normal evaporation is usually 1/8” to 1/4” with auto-fill off.)
Hidden Leaks
• Check for silent leaks. Often not thought of are hidden leaks the size of a pinhead in a service line underground or behind a wall, which can waste enough water annually to fill 12,000 bathtubs to the overflow mark. Monitor your water bill and usage monthly and annually.
Simple changes in daily habits also add up to big water savings. Berenbaum says, “If we don’t waste water by letting leaks go unattended and if we take steps to reduce our water usage in big and little ways, together we can make a real positive impact on water conservation efforts around the globe.”
Go to American Leak Detection.
