To help residents learn how to find and fix leaks, the Surprise water conservation team will host a free irrigation maintenance, troubleshooting and repair workshop from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25.

The class will take place in the Community Room inside City Hall, located at 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza.

Attendees will receive tips on finding and fixing leaks and overall irrigation system maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair.

Registration is free at surpriseaz.gov/waterworkshops.

The Surprise City Council issued a proclamation during the March 21 City Council meeting that recognizes March 20 to 26 as "Fix-A-Leak Week."

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

Plus, it helps stop more than 1 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.

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 a leak if the meter does not read exactly the same.
• Take advantage of the Smart Home Water Guide, a free online tool that 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 there 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 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 more Fix-a-Leak Week tips and resources at epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week. 

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