Weeklong event will focus on ways to prevent leaks, which account for up to 10 percent of customers’ water bills
San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is kicking off its participation in the national Fix a Leak Week by highlighting the various water conservation programs and resources available for residents and businesses in San Francisco. Fix a Leak Week (March 15-21) is organized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a reminder that leaky appliances can waste up to 1 trillion gallons of water annually.
“Fix a Leak Week is a great opportunity to let everyone know about the importance of making sure their plumbing fixtures and appliances are being used efficiently,” said SFPUC Acting General Manager Michael Carlin. “Not only is it a chance to save water, it can also help to lower your water bill, which I think everyone can appreciate at this time. At the SFPUC, we pride ourselves on sharing resources and guidance so that our customers make the best use of their water. These tips are especially helpful during dry winters like the one we are experiencing now, when the need to conserve is heightened.”
Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills, according to the EPA, which has posted numerous conservation tips on its Fix a Leak Week homepage. The SFPUC supports several programs to help ensure that customers are using water efficiently and sustainably.
The agency offers Water-Wise Evaluations, where experts offer personalized assessments of properties to help customers save the most water they can, including identifying and fixing leaks, and ensuring all appliances are meeting efficiency standards. While indoor, in-person evaluations are paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency is still offering phone or video consultations and in-person outdoor evaluations.
The SFPUC’s Plumbing Fixture Replacement Program replaces old, water-wasting toilets with free water-efficient toilets, including free installation by licensed plumbers for qualifying residential sites.
The SFPUC’s innovative Leak Alert Program sends automated notifications to single-family homes, multi-family properties, commercial and irrigation accounts with nonstop water use for three-plus days, which indicates that there might be a plumbing leak.
On an average weekly basis, the SFPUC notifies about 200 properties with active leaks, which can range from 180 to over 900 gallons a day of wasted water. The Leak Alert program is estimated to save about 47 million gallons every year in San Francisco among single family and small multi-family homes.
San Franciscans home water use averages 42 gallons of water per day, one of the lowest rates in the state. Residential customers can see how efficient their water use is and how much they use on a daily and even hourly basis by logging on to the SFPUC’s MyAccount online portal. More information about the SFPUC’s conservation programs can be found here.
About the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is a department of the City and County of San Francisco. It delivers drinking water to 2.7 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area, collects and treats wastewater for the City and County of San Francisco, and generates clean power for municipal buildings, residential customers, and businesses. Our mission is to provide our customers with high quality, efficient and reliable water, power, and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care. Learn more at www.sfpuc.org.
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