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18Mar
Stop the Drip, Save the Drop: Join the Fix a Leak Week Initiative to Conserve Water
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News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brandon Moore
bmoore@tampabaywater.org
(727) 791-2304 | (727) 470-0702

CLEARWATER, Fla. (March 18, 2024)- Tampa Bay Water continues to encourage water conservation and reminds residents that small actions can make a significant difference. This week marks the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week, which urges everyone to take proactive steps to stop household leaks that waste nearly one trillion gallons of water annually in the United States alone.

The Tampa Bay region remains in a Stage 1 Drought Alert. With the driest season of the year upon us, eliminating unnecessary water usage is more critical than ever.

Simple Steps to Participate in Fix a Leak Week:

  • Check for Leaks: Thoroughly inspect faucets, toilets, and pipes for any signs of leaks, such as dripping or pooling water. According to the EPA, the average household’s leaks waste 10,000 gallons of water every year. At any given time, 10 percent of homes have leaks that can waste 90 gallons or more per day.
  • Repair Faucet Drips: Replace worn-out washers or repair leaky faucets to prevent water waste. A leaky faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year, according to the EPA.
  • Fix Toilet Leaks: Test toilets for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, a leak may need repair. This can save up to 200 gallons of water per day.
  • Inspect Irrigation Systems: Check sprinkler heads and irrigation systems for leaks or malfunctioning components. Adjust settings to minimize water runoff and ensure efficient watering. This can save up to 25,000 gallons of water in 6 months.
  • Upgrade to Water-Efficient Toilets: Consider replacing old or inefficient toilets, and remember to check out Tampa Bay Water Wise to see if you qualify for a rebate.
  • Spread Awareness: Share information about Fix a Leak Week with friends, family and community members to encourage collective action in water conservation efforts.

Regional water facts as of March 1, 2024:

  • The region remains in a Stage 1 Water Shortage - Drought Alert due to a 5.4-inch rainfall deficit averaged over the past 12 months.
  • Rainfall in February averaged about 3.4 inches, about 0.6 inch above normal.
  • Average river flows are in a 4.4 million gallons per day (mgd) deficit when looking at the past 12 months. When river flows are lower, less water is available to support the regional surface water system.
  • Regional water demands in February averaged 188.56 mgd, 3.18 mgd lower than February 2023, but 1.8 mgd higher than demands in January 2024.
  • The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir is at 7.15 billion gallons, 46% of its 15.5-billion-gallon capacity, which helps maintain water supply to the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant.

 

About Tampa Bay Water

Tampa Bay Water is the largest wholesale water supplier in Florida, providing high-quality drinking water to its members, who in turn, supply water to more than 2.5 million residents of the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Water member governments include Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. To learn more, visit tampabaywater.org.