The average home wastes over 10,000 gallons of water per year by not repairing leaks - this is more than enough to fill a backyard swimming pool!
Get a Grip on that Drip
Do you hear that drip? – That’s the sound of money going down the drain! These little drips can be big wastes!
It’s Fix a Leak Week and we’re sending FREE “Find it” and “Fix it” Kits to help you Get a Grip on that Drip!Â
Get a Grip on that Drip! Repairing minor leaks, such as running toilets, leaky faucets, and dripping showerheads, can save a family as much as 10 percent on their utility bill–that’s like washing 300 loads of laundry!
A lot is happening the whole month for you to take advantage of:
- Free Toilet Leak Kits! Need help finding out if your toilet is leaking? Request a Toilet Leak Detection Kit mailed to you for free.
- Swing by the Utility Billing Office or Library to grab free leak-fixing information and dye tablets, plumbers tape, WaterSense labeled showerheads and faucet aerators, and more to help you Get a Grip on that Drip! (limited supply, so items may vary)Â
- DIY Water Saving Kit available for check-out at the Library! This toolbox contains instructions and tools to help you find and fix leaks around your home.
- Use the City’s water utility customer portal, MyMeter, to view your daily and hourly water use AND sign up for leak alerts!  Â
- Have a leaking showerhead, faucet, or toilet? Request a replacement item to fix it!
Take the 10-Minute Challenge this month!
- Check your water bill for January or February. If you are using more than 2,000 gallons per person per month, you may have a leak. (assuming your outdoor irrigation is turned off.) Easily view your water usage on the customer portal.
- Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no one is using water. If the meter number changes, you may have a leak. See how to do that in the video below.
- Use plumber’s tape or Teflon tape and a wrench to ensure tight connections where showerheads attach.
- Check faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replace if necessary.
- Place a drop of food coloring, or a dye tablet, in the toilet tank. If the color appears in the bowl, you may need a new flapper.
- Check your daily or hourly water use on the customer portal.
How To Videos
Detect a Leak
Think you have a leak? Here’s how to find out for certain.Â
Where to Look for Leaks
Not all leaks are easy to spot. Here we show you where to look for those sneaky leaks!
Set Usage Thresholds
How to set water usage thresholds and receive alerts when your usage hits your threshold amount.
Shut Off Water
How to turn the water off to your property.
Shut Off Water to Irrigation Only
How to shut the water off to your irrigation system.
Check Toilet for Leak
How to check your toilet for a leak.Â
Find a Leak and Fix it
- Toilets – Drop dye tablets (request free dye tablets) or a little food coloring into the toilet tank, if color appears in the toilet bowl, you likely have a leaking flapper. Flappers are inexpensive and can be purchased at local hardware stores.
- How to check your toilet for a leak
- How to fix a leaky toilet (Regional Water Providers Consortium in Oregon)
- Faucets – Old washers and gaskets frequently cause leaks in faucets. YouTube has numerous tutorials on how to fix a dripping faucet.
- Showerheads – Some leaky showerheads can be fixed by making sure they’re screwed in tight and by using pipe tape to secure it. For more complicated valve leaks, contact a licensed plumber.
- Irrigation System – Look for soggy areas or greener areas in the yard. City water customers can schedule a free irrigation system check by contacting Jessica Woods at 512-671-2872 or via email.
More Information
For the Kids
- Be a Star Detective Word Search (online or print version)
- Rock’n Riddles (check answers here)
- Fix a Leak Week Family Fact Sheet
- Fix a Leak Week Activity Sheet
