Did you know leaks in your home could be wasting thousands of gallons of water each year? In fact, according to an accountability study through the EPA, the average family can waste 180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons of water annually from household leaks; equivalent to the amount of water needed to wash more than 300 loads of laundry. That’s water being wasted and money coming out of your pocket. Replacing old, inefficient bathroom faucets and showerheads can reduce the amount of water wasted in an average household by more than 2,700 gallons per year, and save the average family $250 in water and electricity costs.  

Luckily, the Gallatin River Task Force is participating in a whole week focused on fixing leaks and making your home more water-wise. In partnership with the EPA, Fix-a-Leak Week is designed to provide resources and tips for saving water, money, and increasing your home’s efficiency. Here’s a good place to start:

• First, take the 10-minute challenge to identify where leaks exist 
• If the 10-minute challenge isn’t enough to fix your leaks, check out this handy guide by the EPA to address leaky faucets, toilets, showerheads, and sprinkler systems. Or, if you’re not into DIY, call a plumber.
• Keep watch on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter during the week for water-saving tips and tricks. Use the #fixaleak hashtag to share with us!

Checked every toilet, faucet, and pipe and found a leak-free home? There are still plenty of ways you can save water. Consider shortening your shower time, only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine, and be sure to check for leaks regularly.

For even more water savings, consider replacing old fixtures with new WaterSense models. Swapping out inefficient bathroom faucets can save the average family $250 in water and electricity costs over the faucet’s lifetime, and replacing inefficient showerheads can reduce the amount of water wasted in an average household by more than 2,700 gallons per year. Visit our Water Conservation Program to learn more about water-saving fixtures and the variety of rebates we offer. 

During Fix a Leak Week we will be out in the community offering free leak-detection and water-saving resources. Find us Monday-Wednesday at the Big Sky Post Office from 11am to 1pm and Thursday – Friday at Ace Hardware from 11am to 1pm. We hope to see you there! If you can’t make it in person or have any questions, contact jessica@gallatinrivertaskforce.org. And remember, every drop counts ????