Every year since the inception of the “Fix a Leak Week” campaign in 2009, www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak, California American Water has partnered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to promote the campaign and create awareness of the problems with water loss caused by water leaks.
“Water is a precious resource, and we need to do everything we can to preserve it,” said CAW External Affairs Manager Brian Barreto. “Many people don’t realize they have a leak in their homes. By partnering with the EPA in this outreach campaign, we educate and encourage customers to actively check irrigation systems and water devices within their homes for leaks that can be fixed quickly to keep costs down.”
According to the EPA, the average American household can waste 11,000 gallons of water each year due to running toilets, faucets and other common household leaks. It’s estimated these minor leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in homes.
CAW engages in multiple activities to promote the campaign, including distributing press releases throughout the state, providing presentations at city council meetings and sending draft proclamations to cities within its districts for them to issue official proclamations on partnering with the investorowned water utility (IOU) and the EPA. In one case, the mayor of Coronado congratulated CAW for making city residents aware of such an important, timely and cost-saving effort. CAW has received six proclamations from Southern California cities, which are displayed in the IOU’s customer service centers.
“The campaigns are successful not only due to our promotional efforts,” explained Barreto, “but also because we have many individuals engaged in the campaigns. For example, in addition to the outreach staff, we encourage our field service staff, meter readers and distribution staff to interact with customers in checking for leaks on a daily basis.”
CAW offers free water conservation kits as part of the Fix a Leak Week campaign and encourages customers to call the 24-hour customer service center at 1-888-237-1333 to request conservation devices and materials.
