Skip to main content

Fix a Leak Week focuses on fixing plumbing leaks to save money

2022 Fix a Leak Week graphicThis week, Michigan recognizes Fix a Leak Week from March 14 to 20. Fix a Leak Week, created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and supported by WaterSense partners across the U.S. and Canada, is aimed at educating residents on the importance of fixing plumbing leaks to save money on water and energy bills.

During this week, residents are encouraged to find and fix leaks within their home. EGLE's Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate will provide some practical tips on finding and fixing household leaks and spotlight free home energy efficiency programs offered by some utilities within the state. If you decide to get involved, share a photo and tag your post with #FixALeakWeek, #MIFixALeak, and #IFixLeaks!

According to the EPA, the average household loses more than 10,000 gallons of water each year through leaks. Some water leaks are slow and difficult to detect, yet even the smallest leaks can add up quickly. Fixing easily corrected household leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills, and, fortunately, most leaks are easy to find if you know where to look! Use EPA's at-home checklist or read some tips below to help you find leaks:

  • Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
  • Look at your water usage, particularly during colder months. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks. Note: if you use a sprinkler system this may not apply.
  • Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
  • Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.

The EPA has a lot of resources on finding and fixing leaks on their Fix a Leak Week page, including video tutorials. Be sure to check it out!

If you've already determined you have leaks and these resources aren't enough to stop them, it might be time to contact a plumbing professional. When replacing fixtures, consider those with a WaterSense label, which could increase your home's water efficiency and lower your bill.

To learn more, visit Michigan.gov/FixALeakWeek.

Like this content? Follow us on TwitterFacebookLinkedIn, and on YouTube.


Take a short survey and let us know what you think about MI Environment.