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California American Water Drops Helpful Tips for Customers During EPA’s Fix a Leak Week

SAN DIEGO – (Mar. 16, 2022) California American Water is dropping helpful tips to customers during the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fix a Leak Week. Fix a Leak Week will be observed this week, March 14-22. The national campaign held by the EPA raises awareness about leaks and other water issues that contribute to water waste within homes and businesses.

“For California American Water, this week is a way to encourage our customers to use water wisely,” said Garry Hofer, California American Water’s vice president of operations. “We focus on conservation and reducing water waste every day but want our customers to see conservation can not only save money, but also help preserve water, a precious resource.”

According to the EPA, the average residence in the U.S. loses 10,000 gallons of water per year thanks to seemingly minor leaks. With more than 110 million households in the U.S., this equates to more than one trillion gallons of water lost every year due to leaks in the home. It is estimated that the average homeowner can reduce their water bills by 10 percent by addressing leaks.


“Many people may not realize that even the smallest leaks can waste thousands of gallons per year, every drop adds up,” Hofer said. “If every one of our California customers fixed a household leak, they could contribute to millions, or even billions, of gallons of water saved in a year.”

California American Water is committed to fixing leaks by replacing or upgrading infrastructure to support water quality, water pressure, system security and service reliability to customers. In 2021 California American Water invested more than $160 million in water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. 

California American Water also offers these helpful tips for detecting leaks:

  • Check your California American Water bill monthly. If the usage increases to above average and there was no change in your home size, there most likely is a leak.
  • Check your water meter at the start and end of a two-hour period during which no water is being used (i.e., when no one is home). If the meter changes, there most likely is a leak.
  • Test your toilet. Leaks can occur in your toilet. Test for one by putting a drop of food coloring into the toilet tank. After 10 minutes, if any color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak.
  • Check faucet gaskets - At least once a season- and especially after extreme temperature changes – check faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for surface leaks, indicated by water on the exterior of the pipes.
  • Check in-ground irrigation systems and hoses. Make sure they weren’t damaged by frost or freezing.

Customers can download a leak detection kit here. Include children in learning with interactive games and more by visiting California American Water’s Water Learning Center. California American Water customers can also manage their California American Water account online by visiting www.californiaamwater.com.

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to more than 720,000 people. Information regarding California American Water’s service areas can be found on the company’s website www.californiaamwater.com.


Media Contacts

Evan Jacobs

Northern California External Affairs Manager

707.495.6135

evan.jacobs@amwater.com