WATER & MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT

Potential loss:200 gallons of water per day
If your toilet is running constantly, you could be wasting as much as 200 gallons of water or more per day. Not all toilet leaks can be detected by listening for running water in the bowl of the toilet. The most common cause of a toilet leak is the flapper valve. Over time, the valve becomes worn out and it does not seal shut anymore. One way to find out if you have a toilet leak is to place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, you have a leak. Once you complete this test, make sure to flush immediately to avoid staining the tank.

Potential loss:3,000 gallons of water per year
A leaky faucet that drips at rate of 1 drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. Most faucet leaks can be reduced by checking the washers and gaskets for wear, and replacing them if necessary. Another tip would be to replace the aerator. These are inexpensive, available at most hardware stores and easy to install.

Potential loss:500 gallons of water per year
A showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons of water per year – that’s enough water to wash 60 loads of dishes in your dishwasher. Most leaky showerheads can be fixed by ensuring a tight connection using Teflon tape and a wrench. You may also consider replacing an old showerhead. An older showerhead uses 3 to 8 gallons of water while a newer model can use as little as 1.5 gallons per minute.