ALTHOUGH MINNESOTA IS THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES WE ALL STILL NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION
What seems like a minor leak may surprise you in the amount of water and energy lost. Just look at the following examples of simple leaks and the amount of water that is wasted daily. When you multiply the daily amount over weeks, months or years you understand the magnitude of waste from what seems like a small problem.
THESE COMMON LEAKY PLUMBING PROBLEMS ADD UP TO A LOT OF WASTED WATER
- A leaky faucet wastes 20 gallons a day
- A leaky toilet wastes 30 gallons a day
- Replace an old toilet with a low flush toilet, save 40.5 gallons a day
- Outdoor pipe leak or broken sprinkler head wastes 20 gallons a day
LEAKY FAUCETS ARE TYPICALLY CAUSED BY WORN WASHERS OR “O” RINGS
You might even combine it with an overall plumbing inspection while we’re there, which may save major costs down the road in preventative maintenance.
YOUR LEAKY OR RUNNING TOILET IS RUNNING UP YOUR WATER BILL
If your toilet is ten or fifteen years old, you’re probably better off replacing it with an efficient low-flow toilet. You can save over five gallons per flush, so the savings add up quickly. Also, you’ll get a better flush with a pressurized model. You can conserve even more water with a dual flush toilet. It has two flush settings, one for solids and one for liquids.
REPLACING YOUR SHOWERHEAD WITH A NEW EFFICIENT MODEL OR ADDING AERATORS ON FAUCETS DRASTICALLY CUTS WATER CONSUMPTION
You could save from 500 to 800 gallons per month, while you still enjoy excellent shower power. Current energy guidelines recommend a 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM) rating. Placing aerators on three kitchen and bath fixtures saves 14 gallons a day, while retaining excellent water pressure.
IS THE GARDEN HOSE LEAKING?
Seal the connection threads with thread tape. If it’s the hose itself that’s leaking, wrap it with sealing tape. Or if the leak is part of the spigot, call us to replace the leaking pipe.
By implementing these simple ideas, you’ll be saving you and your community hundreds, possibly thousands of gallons each year.