Birmingham Water Works partners with EPA for Fix-A-Leak Week - ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

The Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to commemorate Fix-A-Leak-Week for the second year in a row. Water Works employees will be visiting 200 homes to check for leaks and repair worn-out toilet flappers, the leading cause of leaks and high water bills - for free.

"Most people don't realize that a high water bill is actually a tell-tale sign of a leak," says Binnie Myles, Birmingham Water Works spokeswoman. "If your water bill is suddenly higher than normal but your usage has not significantly increased, it's a good idea to check for a leak."

The EPA reports that an estimated one trillion gallons of water are wasted due to leaks every year in the U.S., and that a worn-out toilet flapper is the cause of most leaks. BWWB's leak inspections last year revealed toilet leaks due to worn-out flappers in the overwhelming majority – close to 80 percent - of the nearly 200 homes inspected.

BWWB officials say a worn-out toilet flapper can add hundreds of dollars to your water bill, but that customers can replace them themselves in as little as ten minutes, and that they can be purchased at your local home improvement store for under $10. Lowe's Home Improvement store donated flappers to assist Birmingham Water Works in replacing toilet flappers this year.

"Every year, we work harder and harder to get the word out about leaks," says Myles. "The more people we have repairing leaks, the more people we expect to see a decrease in their water bill."

For leak detection and repair tips, visit www.birminghamwaterworks.com. Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Water Works serves 600,000 people in Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair and Walker counties. For more information about the Birmingham Water Works Board, please call at (205) 244-4000 or visit the website.