FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2009
DHEC announces Fix a Leak week
COLUMBIA – Fix a Leak week begins March 16 to remind South Carolinians to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced today.
“DHEC is promoting the first Fix a Leak week in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense Program,” said David Wilson, chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Water. “Minor water leaks account for more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes. Repairing leaks is not only a smart way to conserve water; it can save money by lowering water bills.
During Fix a Leak Week, DHEC encourages consumers to locate and repair drips and leaks in faucets, toilets, showerheads, and garden spigots and hoses, as well as to check landscape irrigation systems for frost or freeze damage. If plumbing fixtures must be replaced, DHEC encourages consumers to look for EPA's WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled toilets and faucets perform as well as or better than standard models and they are certified to save water.
“In most cases, fixture replacement parts can be installed by do-it-yourselfers and will quickly save enough to cover the cost of the repair,” Wilson said. “And, considering recent drought conditions, fixing leaks is also the right thing to do to conserve our water supply for our neighbors and our environment.”
For more information on Fix a Leak Week, click on http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/ or http://www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.
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NOTE TO REPORTERS AND EDITORS:
Graphics of the Fix a Leak banner and WaterSense label are available on EPA’s WaterSense Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/watersense, and are also available via e-mail by request.
For more information:
Carol Roberts – (803) 898-3542
E-mail – robertck@dhec.sc.gov
or
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov