Leaks Can Run But They Can’t Hide
New Jersey American Water Offers Tips to Find and Fix Leaks During U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fix a Leak Week
CAMDEN, N.J. MARCH 17, 2025 – This week, New Jersey American Water highlights the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week by providing tips to help customers find and fix leaks in their homes.
“Providing clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to our customers requires significant resources, and we all have a role to play in keeping that water from being wasted,” said Ben Morris, vice president of Operations for New Jersey American Water. “With the ongoing drought we’re experiencing in New Jersey and the arrival of spring this week – a season when water use typically increases – it’s more important than ever to find simple ways to conserve. Identifying and fixing household leaks is one of the easiest and most effective steps customers can take to reduce unnecessary water waste.”
According to the 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.
“We’re committed to finding and fixing our own leaks here at New Jersey American Water as well,” said Don Shields, vice president of Engineering, New Jersey American Water. “We’ve invested $14.5 million into our award-winning acoustic leak detection technology over the past five years, which allows us to ‘hear’ leaks underground, enhancing our ability to respond to them before they become larger issues.”
Customers can learn more about leaks and download a leak detection kit here. Customers are also encouraged to check for usage spikes on their accounts through MyWater, the company’s online customer portal. Additional ways to conserve water and drought information can be found on New Jersey American Water’s website at newjerseyamwater.com/conservation.
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CAMDEN, N.J. MARCH 17, 2025 – This week, New Jersey American Water highlights the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week by providing tips to help customers find and fix leaks in their homes.
“Providing clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to our customers requires significant resources, and we all have a role to play in keeping that water from being wasted,” said Ben Morris, vice president of Operations for New Jersey American Water. “With the ongoing drought we’re experiencing in New Jersey and the arrival of spring this week – a season when water use typically increases – it’s more important than ever to find simple ways to conserve. Identifying and fixing household leaks is one of the easiest and most effective steps customers can take to reduce unnecessary water waste.”
According to the 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.
“We’re committed to finding and fixing our own leaks here at New Jersey American Water as well,” said Don Shields, vice president of Engineering, New Jersey American Water. “We’ve invested $14.5 million into our award-winning acoustic leak detection technology over the past five years, which allows us to ‘hear’ leaks underground, enhancing our ability to respond to them before they become larger issues.”
Customers can learn more about leaks and download a leak detection kit here. Customers are also encouraged to check for usage spikes on their accounts through MyWater, the company’s online customer portal. Additional ways to conserve water and drought information can be found on New Jersey American Water’s website at newjerseyamwater.com/conservation.