Fix A Leak Week Encourages Forsyth Residents To Check Pipes

CUMMING, GA -- March 18-24 is Fix a Leak Week, an annual event sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The average household can lose more than 10,000 gallons of water every year, with approximately 10 percent of homes having leaks that lose 90 gallons or more per day. Fixing easily corrected household leaks can save homeowners money on their water bill.

“With Lake Lanier at an all-time high, it can be easy for us to overlook the fact that water is a very
valuable resource,” Director of Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer Tim Perkins said in a release. “In recognition of Fix a Leak Week, Forsyth County would like to encourage residents to take simple steps to help stop leaks in their homes.”

These steps include:

• Check for dripping faucets, shower heads, tub spouts and fixture connections. You can also perform a leak test using your water meter. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter reading changes, you probably have a leak.
• Listen for hissing or trickling noises coming from your toilet or water refilling the tank in between flushes. Also check for silent leaks by putting a teaspoon of food coloring in the tank and seeing if it appears in the bowl before you flush.
• Repair leaks by replacing any faulty parts. If you buy a new fixture, look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently tested and certified to use 20 percent less water.

For a checklist to help detect and chase down leaks, visit the Water and Sewer Department page at
forsythco.com.

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