COLUMBUS, OHIO (March 19, 2024) – Ohioans looking to save money on their water bills and avoid expensive property damage should spend just a few minutes fixing common household leaks.
The average Ohio family can waste nearly 180 gallons of water per week just from household leaks alone. These common leaks can be easy to fix and the tools to repair them can pay for themselves in water savings.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), Ohio EPA and Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) are promoting “Fix a Leak Week,” March 18–24, 2024. Fix a Leak Week is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program as an annual reminder to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.
“Now’s the perfect time to monitor your home’s water usage and fix easily corrected leaks,” said PUCO Chair Jenifer French. “The benefits are clear: just 10 minutes of your time could save you up to 10 percent on bills.”
“Repairing leaks not only helps the environment – it helps your bottom line,” Ohio EPA Director, Anne Vogel, said. “Leaks can be costly. And, in a time when every dollar counts, taking that extra step to locate and fix any leaks you might have will allow you to keep those dollars right where you want them…in your pocket.”
The Ohio Department of Insurance also reminds Ohioans that leaking or burst water fixtures and pipes can cause serious damage to a property and its contents. Repairs can be costly without enough insurance protection. Consumers should conduct a homeowners or renters insurance review with an insurance agent on the limits, provisions, exclusions, and endorsements that may apply to the terms of water loss coverage.
Introduced in 2006, WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. EPA that makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment by identifying water-efficient products, services and homes. The WaterSense label can be found on toilets and bathroom faucets. Products that have earned the WaterSense label have been independently tested to meet water-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find a WaterSense labeled product in your area. For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.