Illinois American Water Shares Tips to Find and Fix Leaks During U.S. EPA’s Fix a Leak Week 2025
BELLEVILLE, ILL. (MARCH 17, 2025) – Illinois American Water highlights U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week 2025 by providing tips to help customers find and fix leaks in their homes.
"As we celebrate Fix a Leak Week, it's crucial to recognize the significant benefits of addressing leaks in your home or business. Fixing leaks not only conserves water, a precious resource, but also prevents potential damage to your property,” said Rebecca Losli, President of Illinois American Water. “By taking proactive steps to repair leaks, we contribute to a sustainable future and ensure the reliability of our water systems. Let's work together to make every drop count."
According to the United States EPA, leaks are present in about ten percent of households, which can waste 90 gallons of water or more per day. Below are a few common places to check for leaks inside your home:
- Toilets
- A defective plunger ball or flapper valve can waste water by causing the tank to continually drain and refill. To test, drop a dye-tracing tablet or a small amount of food coloring in the tank and wait 5 minutes. If the dye-colored water seeped into the bowl, you may have a leak and need to replace the defective part.
- Faucets
- A leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. If you notice one dripping, try closing it tightly. If it continues to drip, the washer may need to be replaced.
- Washing machine
- If you see water on the floor under your washing machine, that could indicate a leak. You may want to call a repair service.
- Bathtubs and showers
- Check the spout and shower head for dripping water. New washers may be needed on the faucet handles.
- Boiler system
- If the sound of running water is continuous and does not stop and start periodically, there may be a leak. Contact a professional to check it and perform repairs.
Illinois American Water invests nearly $250 million annually across its service territories to maintain and upgrade its water mains, water and wastewater treatment facilities, hydrants, meters, and other distribution system equipment to help make sure our 1.4 million customers receive safe, clean and reliable water.
Learn more and download our new leak detection kit here. Customers can check for usage spikes and manage accounts through MyWater, the company’s online customer portal. More information about the value of water are located on Illinois American Water’s website, in the Water Learning Center.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.4 million people. American Water also operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.
Media Contacts
Terry Mackin
Director of Communications and External Affairs
Illinois American Water
terry.mackin@amwater.com
BELLEVILLE, ILL. (MARCH 17, 2025) – Illinois American Water highlights U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week 2025 by providing tips to help customers find and fix leaks in their homes.
"As we celebrate Fix a Leak Week, it's crucial to recognize the significant benefits of addressing leaks in your home or business. Fixing leaks not only conserves water, a precious resource, but also prevents potential damage to your property,” said Rebecca Losli, President of Illinois American Water. “By taking proactive steps to repair leaks, we contribute to a sustainable future and ensure the reliability of our water systems. Let's work together to make every drop count."
According to the United States EPA, leaks are present in about ten percent of households, which can waste 90 gallons of water or more per day. Below are a few common places to check for leaks inside your home:
- Toilets
- A defective plunger ball or flapper valve can waste water by causing the tank to continually drain and refill. To test, drop a dye-tracing tablet or a small amount of food coloring in the tank and wait 5 minutes. If the dye-colored water seeped into the bowl, you may have a leak and need to replace the defective part.
- Faucets
- A leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. If you notice one dripping, try closing it tightly. If it continues to drip, the washer may need to be replaced.
- Washing machine
- If you see water on the floor under your washing machine, that could indicate a leak. You may want to call a repair service.
- Bathtubs and showers
- Check the spout and shower head for dripping water. New washers may be needed on the faucet handles.
- Boiler system
- If the sound of running water is continuous and does not stop and start periodically, there may be a leak. Contact a professional to check it and perform repairs.
Illinois American Water invests nearly $250 million annually across its service territories to maintain and upgrade its water mains, water and wastewater treatment facilities, hydrants, meters, and other distribution system equipment to help make sure our 1.4 million customers receive safe, clean and reliable water.
Learn more and download our new leak detection kit here. Customers can check for usage spikes and manage accounts through MyWater, the company’s online customer portal. More information about the value of water are located on Illinois American Water’s website, in the Water Learning Center.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.4 million people. American Water also operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.
Media Contacts
Terry Mackin
Director of Communications and External Affairs
Illinois American Water
terry.mackin@amwater.com