Minor water leaks account for the majority of water wasted each year in U.S. homes. Leaks can account for, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, which is enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. To help address this issue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed the WaterSense program. Its mission is to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services.

Currently, there are more than 400 WaterSense-labeled toilets, more than 1,600 labeled faucets and faucet accessories and more than 850 certified irrigation partners. WaterSense-labeled products must achieve independent, third-party testing and certification to prove they meet EPA’s rigorous criteria for efficiency and performance.

Simple steps residents can take to conserve water: 

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. You conserve up to 9 gallons of water per brushing. 
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
• Take a short shower instead of a bath. This saves about 15 gallons of water.
• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap until water is cold. This simple step saves about two gallons per glass. 
• Check for leaks! Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Common types of leaks include toilet flappers, dripping faucets and other leaking valves. For example, a running toilet can waste 2 gallons of water per minute, which is approximately 86,400 gallons per month or $731.00. Additionally, a ‘silent leak’ can use up to 7,000 gallons per month or $60.00. For more information and tips on how to detect and fix leaks, please visit the WaterSense website.