Save Water and Money — Repair Leaks!

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), household leaks can waste an estimated ONE TRILLION gallons of water annually. That’s about 10,000 gallons of wasted water per household per year—not to mention, a lot of wasted money.

Toilet Leaks

Toilet leaks are one of the leading causes of high water bills for WSSC Water customers. A small toilet leak can waste about 200 gallons each day. That’s 6,000 gallons in a month, which adds approximately $400 to your normal quarterly bill.

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According to the EPA, most toilet leaks are caused by an old, worn-out flapper. A flapper is an inexpensive part of the toilet that should be checked periodically and replaced at least every five years. When it wears out, water leaks into the bowl. Customers don’t see the water and often don’t hear it, but a flapper leak can add hundreds if not thousands of dollars to a bill.

Review this video to learn more.

How to Check for Toilet Leaks

1. Remove the lid from the toilet tank.
2. Drop one dye tablet in the tank.
3. Wait 15 minutes. DO NOT FLUSH!

If you see color in the bowl, then you have a leak. That’s because water is leaking from the tank into the toilet bowl. You’ll want to make repairs as soon as possible, either doing it yourself or hiring a Registered Licensed WSSC Water Plumber. We recommend checking for toilet leaks twice a year.

WSSC Water customers can request dye tablets by completing and submitting the following form. Please include the number of toilets in your home and your mailing address.

Leaky Faucets

A leaky faucet can also waste water and money! At the rate of one drip per second, more than 3,000 gallons of water is lost each year. That’s equivalent to 180 showers! Old and worn-out faucet washers and gaskets frequently cause leaks. As the weather warms up, check outside spigots and irrigation systems for leaks and make repairs as soon as possible.

The EPA has information online on checking for leaks as well as tutorials on how to fix a wide variety of household leaks, including faucets. You can also contact a Registered Licensed WSSC Water Plumber.

CAP Leak Repair Program

WSSC Water has created the CAP Leak Repair Program in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland to repair on-property residential plumbing leaks to help save customers money and conserve water.

Questions about your WSSC Water bill or usage?

Call us at 301-206-4001. Our customer service advisors are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can also reach them by email at customerservice@wsscwater.com.