Local utilities officials in the Triangle are encouraging residents to check for plumbing leaks in their homes this week. Durham and Cary have partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency in the "Fix a Leak Week" campaign. It works to inform utilities customers about how to check for leaks and step up efforts to conserve water. Cary's director of public works and utilities Steve Brown says toilet leaks are the most common:
"You could have a small leak in a toilet and not be aware of it because it doesn't make noise. It doesn't spill water. It's all internal to your household plumbing. And we've seen some studies that estimate that about a quarter of all toilets leak in this manner and it's that slow leak over a long time that adds up."
Brown says toilets can leak up to 200 gallons of water per day. Residents can pick up free toilet leak testing kits in Cary and Durham this week.
