Fix a Leak Week
Did you know that across the country, nearly 1 trillion gallons of water is wasted from household leaks each year?
Sponsored by EPA’s WaterSense® program, Fix a Leak Week is an annual event that promotes water conservation by supporting utility customers as they chase down and repair leaks in their homes.
“Leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water in an average home every year—the amount of water it takes to wash 300 loads of laundry,” said Lee Smith, Utilities Director for the City of Hendersonville. “As a WaterSense partner, we are encouraging consumers to find and fix leaks to save water in our community.” He explained fixing leaks can also save customers money on their water bills.
To help save water for future generations, Hendersonville Water and Sewer is asking consumers to check, twist, and replace:
- Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, sprinklers, and other fixtures. Also check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank, waiting 10 minutes, and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Toilet tank dye tablets can be picked up at City Hall (160 6th Avenue E) or City Operations (305 Williams Street) during regular business hours to help you ID leaks! Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots, too.
- Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections. To save water without a noticeable difference in flow in your bathroom, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.
- Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.
We also encourage our customers to take advantage of AquaHawk Alerting, a free service that allows you to monitor your water usage and receive alerts when your usage indicates a leak. These notifications can help you save money on your water bill and can help prevent property damage. Note: It is important that you keep your contact information up-to-date to receive these notifications. Contact the Customer Service Department at (828) 697-3052 to verify.
In many cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by handy “do-it-yourselfers" or local plumbing professionals. Irrigation professionals certified through a WaterSense labeled program can also check your systems for leaks. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find WaterSense labeled products or an auditor in your area.
For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week.
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services. Since the program's inception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save trillions of gallons of water and billions in water and energy bills. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.
 | In partnership with EPA's Watersense program, we are excited to be participating in Fix A Leak Week! Do you know what a toilet flapper is? This simple rubber device holds water in the tank, then releases water into the bowl when the toilet is flushed. But the rubber can wear out, so the flapper should be replaced at least every five years to ensure a good seal and avoid leaks. |
| It’s never been easier to check for leaks and save money on your water bill every month! The City offers a FREE service to all water customers called AquaHawk that allows you to view your water consumption, receive timely leak alerts, and control your water expenses. EPA WaterSense has also put together this checklist that provides information on how you can detect and chase down leaks that may be hiding in different parts of your home. Take the 10 Minute Challenge and wipe out your water waste! |  |
 | Leaks can lurk in many places inside your home. Toilet, faucet, and showerhead leaks are all very common and could be costing you more than you think. Replacing the old or worn-out rubber valve seal (or flapper) of a toilet is a quick and inexpensive way to fix your water woes. Similarly, replacing your faucet aerator to stop a dripping sink is a small change that can lead to big savings. And don’t forget about your showerhead! Make sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem. Follow these tips and you’ll “nip that drip” in no time! |
| Spring is upon us, and that means it’s a great time to check your in-ground irrigation system to make sure it wasn’t damaged by frost or freezing. Even small leaks can add up. An irrigation system that has a leak 1/32nd of an inch in diameter (about the thickness of a dime) can waste roughly 6,300 gallons of water per month! Be sure to also check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench. |  |
 | Finding and fixing leaks will conserve water and save you money, and so will the City’s rebate program. We are pleased to offer several rebates to reward our customers for replacing outdated appliances. You can obtain one or more of these rebates by replacing your toilet with a high-efficiency, WaterSense labeled toilet or purchasing an Energystar labeled clothes washer. Both commercial and residential customers are also welcome to apply for a rebate if they have replaced or installed a smart irrigation controller or a customer-side shut-off valve. |