County Urges Citizens to Save Money by Conserving Water

As the county continues to conserve water, Gwinnett officials are asking homeowners to check toilets, faucets and underground irrigation systems for leaks. The effort is part of the national Fix-a-Leak Week program, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“A slow leak in a toilet can waste 10,000 gallons a year – enough to fill a backyard swimming pool,” says Lynn Smarr, Acting Director of Water Resources, in a released statement. Smarr advises putting a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank to check for flapper valve leaks. If the coloring shows up in the bowl within 10 minutes, there is a leak. Additionally, the county currently offers a rebate program to replace the 3.5 gallon/flush pre-1993 toilets with newer 1.28 gallon/flush toilets.

Smarr also advises homeowner to check their water meter when no water is running. If the black triangle on the meter window is spinning, that is indicative of a leak. A family of four using more than 10,000 to 12,000 gallons a month should check for leaks, Smarr said.

 “These simple checks can save some property owners a lot of money on their water bills while helping conserve a precious resource,” Smarr said.

For more information on conserving water, contact conservation coordinator Heather Moody at dwrconserve@gwinnettcounty.com or by calling 678-376-6722. More information is also available online at www.gwinnetth2o.com.