Public Utility Commission of Texas Promotes Engagement With 'Fix A Leak' Week

Leaking water can flood the family budget

The Public Utility Commission of Texas is reminding Texans to take part in the annual “Fix A Leak” Week to reduce the loss of household water through leaky faucets, valves and pipes. Some experts estimate annual leak-related water loss across the country could approach one trillion gallons, enough water for eleven million homes.

“If you live in a house with water leaks, you’re basically throwing money away,” said PUC Executive Director, John Paul Urban, III. “Taking simple steps to fix leaks can save customers up to 10% on their water bill, helping repairs pay for themselves.”

Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, “Fix A Leak” Week is an annual event designed to raise awareness of the impact leaks can have on the family budget, not to mention quality of life. Running this year from March 16 through 22, it provides insights into the impact of unchecked leaks.

The average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10% on water bills.

The first step in the leak detection process requires measuring water loss, then narrowing the causes. Here are some tips for finding leaks:

Check the water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there could be serious leaks.

Check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, a leak is likely.

Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, there is likely a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)

Find surface leaks by examining faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside.

For more information on leak detection and repair, be sure to visit the EPA’s “WaterSense” page here.

About The Public Utility Commission
Our mission is to serve Texans by regulating the state’s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implementing respective legislation, and offering customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints. Since its founding in 1975, the Commission has a long and proud history of service to Texas, protecting customers, fostering competition, and promoting high quality infrastructure. For more information, visit http://www.puc.texas.gov.