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Check for leaking toilets
Leaking toilets are the number one source of wasted
water in the home. A leaky toilet tank wastes between 300 gallons (slow leak) and 60,000 gallons (running toilet) per month. To detect a slow leak, put food
coloring in the toilet tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. If the water in the bowl turns color, your toilet tank is leaking. Replace the parts inside your toilet tank. Repair kits are inexpensive and are available at most home improvement stores. We recommend
you perform this test at least twice a year. Catching a toilet leak at its earliest stage can save a lot of water and keeping
from pouring your money down the drain. |
Check for leaky faucets, showers and hoses Worn plumbing fixtures waste a great deal of water and can be costly to the consumer. Check
faucets and hose connections (i.e., at your washing machine) frequently. The table below illustrates the potential water loss
from leaky faucets: |
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Even a Small Leak Costs You Money |
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Slow Leak |
Steady Drip |
Slow Stream |
Steady Stream |
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450 gallons per month |
750 gallons per month |
3,000 gallons per month |
12,000 gallons per month |
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Adds up to $3.68 to your monthly bill |
Adds up to $6.13 to your monthly bill |
Adds up to $24.51 to your monthly bill |
Adds up to $98.04 to your monthly bill |
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Check for Underground Leaks An underground water leak due to a broken pipe or faulty coupling can be very costly because the water
loss is not always easy to spot. Careful attention to the signs of a water leak can help minimize costly water leaks. The
table below illustrates the potential water loss from broken underground pipes: |
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A Leak This Size |
...Wastes This Much Water... |
...And Adds This Much to Your Bill. |
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1/32" |
3,600 Gals./Month |
$20.34 |
|
1/16" |
10,800 Gals./Month |
$61.02 |
|
1/8" |
36,000 Gals./Month |
$203.40 |
|
3/16" |
199,000 Gals./Month |
$1,124.35 |
|
1/4" |
340,000 Gals./Month |
$1,921.00 | |
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