Drip, Drip, Drip

California American Water has partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency to launch “Fix a Leak Week.”  The program, which runs March 14 to 20, 2011, encourages San Diegans to repair dripping faucets, running toilets, and leaky showerheads.

Minor water leaks account for more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes.  In California, the average home drips away enough water to fill a backyard swimming pool.

Given the recent water shortage on the west coast, performing several quick fixes around your home can help conserve the world's most important resource.

If you live in a downtown San Diego condo and rely on the building to maintenance your plumbing, report any drips to your super as soon as possible.  Also, make your neighbors aware of this important, yet often overlooked problem.

California American Water recommends the following tips to help save water lost by leaks:

* Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replace them, or, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.

* Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home up to 200 gallons of water per day.

* For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.

* Check your garden and lawn irrigation system for leaks each spring to make sure they were not damaged during the winter months.