INDIANAPOLIS – Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from homes each year. You can do your part to conserve water during the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 10th annual Fix a Leak Week. Fix a Leak Week runs from March 19-25 and is sponsored by EPA’s WaterSense program.
“Water is one of our most precious resources,” said Ann McIver, Citizens Energy Group Director of Environmental Stewardship. “The earth’s water supply is finite, and less than 1 percent is available for human use. We must all be diligent about conserving water to ensure the planet is viable for generations to come.”
Citizens supplies drinking water to about 800,000 people in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas and is doing its part to reduce water lost from its system. Over the past seven years, the utility has invested more than $280 million in the water system, much of it to upgrade old water mains prone to leaks and failures.
Reducing leaks and conserving water will help ensure adequate water supplies for all. Average household leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry. Correcting leaks doesn’t just save water, it saves money. When leaks are fixed, customers can save up to 10 percent on their water bills.
Finding and fixing leaks around the home can be as simple as check, twist and replace:
- Check toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank; wait a few minutes and see if color appears in the bowl before you flush. If it does, there is a leak.
- Twist on a new WaterSense-labeled faucet aerator or showerhead, and tighten hose and pipe connections.
- Replace fixtures if necessary with WaterSense-labeled models, which are independently certified to use less water and perform as well or better than standard models.
For more information about how to find and fix leaks in your home, visit https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week.
About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group provides safe and reliable utility services to about 900,000 people in the Indianapolis area. Citizens operates its utilities for the benefit of customers and the community.
Media Contact Information
Laura O'Brien
Phone: 317-519-1515
Email: media@citizensenergygroup.com