The city of Surprise is participating in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s annual Fix-a-Leak Week campaign from March 17 to 23 to remind residents about the importance of checking for household leaks. 

As part of the week-long push, the city is offering special grant-funded repair opportunities and water conservation workshops.

On average, fixing simple household leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills.

Plus, it can stop gallons of water from being wasted annually.

To help local families with qualifying incomes correct plumbing issues causing high water use at their homes, the city is offering up to $750 of approved indoor plumbing or outdoor irrigation repair services.

This plumbing support grant funding is funded through a grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation and is limited.

To learn about this grant program or see income requirements, visit surpriseaz.gov/WaterConservation.

As part of Fix-a-Leak Week, the Surprise water conservation team is also offering a free finding and fixing water leaks workshop from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 15.

The class will take place in the Surprise Water Education Center,  16126 N. Civic Center Plaza.

Attendees will receive tips on how to save time, money and water by using simple tips to find and fix leaks inside and outside their home.

Registration is free at surpriseaz.gov/WaterWorkshops.

More than one-trillion gallons of water is wasted annually by household leaks nationwide.

Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These leaks are often easily correctable and can pay for themselves in water savings.

Tips for finding leaks inside and outside the home:

• Monitoring winter water usage is a good indicator of household leaks. A family of four likely has a serious leak if winter water use exceeds 12,000 gallons per month.
• Check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.
• Take advantage of the Smart Home Water Guide. This guide will teach you to locate and fix indoor and outdoor leaks using your residential water meter.
• Toilet leaks are a common culprit of indoor water waste. To find out if you have a toilet leak, place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. You have a leak if the color shows up in the bowl within 10 minutes without flushing. Make sure to flush immediately after this experiment to avoid staining the tank. Drop by Surprise City Hall to pick up some free toilet test cards.
• An irrigation system should be checked each spring before use to make sure it was not damaged by frost or freezing.
• To ensure that your in-ground irrigation system is not leaking water, consult with a certified irrigation professional.

Tips for fixing leaks:

• Leaky faucets can be fixed by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them if necessary.
• Most leaky showerheads can be fixed by ensuring a tight connection using pipe tape and a wrench.
• It is recommended that toilet flappers be replaced every three to five years. Over time, this inexpensive rubber part decays, or minerals build up on it. It's usually best to replace the whole rubber flapper—a relatively easy, inexpensive do-it-yourself project that pays for itself in no time.
• Check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
• If fixing your leak requires the replacement of your faucet, showerhead or toilet, look for a WaterSense-labeled model. WaterSense labeled models are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

Get Fix-a-Leak Week tips and resources at epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week.

For tips on conserving water,  visit surpriseaz.gov/WaterConservation.