Press Room

PUC Joins EPA to Mark Fix-A-Leak Week for Water Conservation

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are marking Fix-a-Leak Week from March 15 to 21, 2010, to remind Americans to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

An American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks. Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year.

“By fixing these small leaks around the home, Pennsylvanians can not only help the environment, but they can help to lower their water bills, as well,” said Chairman James H. Cawley.

The EPA estimates that easy-to-fix leaks account for up to 12 percent of a household's water bill.

The PUC joined the EPA’s initiative as part of its WaterSense program, an EPA-sponsored partnership program that seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices.

WaterSense brings together local water utilities and governments, product manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and other stakeholders to:

• Decrease indoor and outdoor non-agricultural water use through the adoption of more efficient products and practices;
• Help consumers make water-efficient choices, including differentiating between products and services in the marketplace and adopting simple daily activities that reduce water use;
• Encourage innovation in manufacturing ; and
• Establish and standardize rigorous certification criteria that ensure product efficiency, performance, and quality.

More information on water conservation and the PUC’s role can be found here.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.