Dallas Water Utilities leaks new water conservation plan

by PegNews wire

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Following a brief ceremony on City Hall Plaza on March 15, officials will dispatch plumbers to fan out across Dallas to repair plumbing problems including dripping faucets, running toilets, and leaky showerheads.

DALLAS — The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense Program has selected City of Dallas Water Utilities to spotlight national Fix a Leak Week in 2010. Dallas won the nationwide contest based on its plans for national Fix a Leak Week. "The Great Dallas Fix a Leak Roundup" will be held March 15 through 19, 2010 to assist pre-qualified, low income residents with household plumbing repairs. Similar to popular home repair TV shows, Dallas Water Utilities will perform a significant amount of work in a short amount of time. In honor of Fix a Leak Week, Dallas Water Utilities will ramp up its Minor Plumbing Repair Program and complete all of the projects that are currently on the waiting list.

“Leaks can add up to more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted at home every year -- that’s enough to fill a backyard swimming pool,” said Jody Puckett, City of Dallas Water Utilities director. “Dallas is participating in Fix a Leak Week to help homeowners save money on their utility bills and to help save water in our community and for future generations.”

“The Great Dallas Fix a Leak Roundup” will kick off at Dallas City Hall on Monday, March 15, 2010. Following a brief ceremony on City Hall Plaza, officials will dispatch plumbers to fan out across Dallas to repair plumbing problems including dripping faucets, running toilets, and leaky showerheads.

Lowe’s, the 2009 WaterSense Retail Partner of the Year, provided support to help make the Fix a Leak Week event in Dallas a success by coordinating with their WaterSense toilet and faucet vendors for the much needed product donations and assisted with the delivery of the products. Fixtures and other replacement parts will be generously donated by Kohler Co the 2009 WaterSense Manufacturer Partner of the Year, American Valve, Plumb Pak, Whirlpool, Watts, Korky, and Fluidmaster.

In most cases, replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers, your favorite handy person, plumber, or WaterSense irrigation partner. Following are a few water-saving tips:

• Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model. (Be sure to look for the WaterSense label for products that use less water, just as you would look for the EnergyStar label for products that use less energy.)

• Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home with a constantly running toilet up to 200 gallons of water per day.

• For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.

• Landscape irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.

“Water conservation is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for water,” said Miguel Flores, EPA Region 6 Water Quality Protection Division director. “By making a few small changes to our daily routines, we save a significant amount of water and conserve this valuable resource.”

Fix a Leak Week is a reminder to Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks that can account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes.

If homeowners have to replace a plumbing fixture, City of Dallas Water Utilities and the EPA remind them to look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled toilets, faucets, and (soon) showerheads have been independently tested and certified to save water and perform as well as or better than standard models. WaterSense also partners with certified landscape irrigation auditors, designers, installers, and maintenance professionals. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find a WaterSense labeled product, or an irrigation partner in your area.

Source: City of Dallas

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