The Surprise City Council issued a proclamation recognizing March 18 to 24 as Fix-A-Leak Week during this week's meeting.

Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills.

Plus, it's helping to stop the more than one-trillion gallons of water wasted annually by household leaks nationwide.

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

To help residents learn how to find and fix leaks, the Surprise water conservation team will host a free Find and Fix Water Leaks Workshop from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23.

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 both inside and outside their home.

Registration is free at surpriseaz.gov/waterworkshops.

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 water meters before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. There is probably a leak if the meter does not read exactly the same.
• Take advantage of the National Plumbing Handbook or the Smart Home Water Guide; copies are available inside the City Hall lobby. The guide is also available at SmartHomeWaterGuide.org. This will explain how to locate and fix indoor and outdoor leaks using a residential water meter.
• Toilet leaks are a common culprit of indoor water waste. To find out if thre is 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 an in-ground irrigation system is not leaking water, consult with a certified irrigation professional.

Here are some 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 garden hoses 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 a 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% less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

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

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