Missouri American Water Shares Tips to Find and Fix Leaks During U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fix a Leak Week 2025
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 17, 2025 – Missouri American Water highlights U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week 2025 by providing tips to help customers find and fix leaks in their homes.
“Fix a Leak Week is a good opportunity to remind our customers the importance of using water wisely,” said Rich Svindland, President, Missouri American Water. “A significant amount of time, resources and expertise is used to deliver clean, safe drinking water every day, so it is important to reduce waste whenever possible.”
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.
“Household leaks, even minor ones can become financially significant over time, “said Jody Carlson, Vice-President of Operations for Missouri American Water. “Customers often underestimate a small faucet or toilet leak can add up over time on a monthly water bill.”
Learn more and download a leak detection kit here. Customers can check for usage spikes and manage accounts through MyWater, the company’s online customer portal. Other ways to conserve and information about the value of water are located on Missouri American Water’s website, in the Water Learning Center.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Missouri American Water
Missouri American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.6 million people. For more, visit missouriamwater.com and follow Missouri American Water on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
Christie Barnhart
Senior Manager, External Communications
Missouri American Water
christie.barnhart@amwater.com
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 17, 2025 – Missouri American Water highlights U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week 2025 by providing tips to help customers find and fix leaks in their homes.
“Fix a Leak Week is a good opportunity to remind our customers the importance of using water wisely,” said Rich Svindland, President, Missouri American Water. “A significant amount of time, resources and expertise is used to deliver clean, safe drinking water every day, so it is important to reduce waste whenever possible.”
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.
“Household leaks, even minor ones can become financially significant over time, “said Jody Carlson, Vice-President of Operations for Missouri American Water. “Customers often underestimate a small faucet or toilet leak can add up over time on a monthly water bill.”
Learn more and download a leak detection kit here. Customers can check for usage spikes and manage accounts through MyWater, the company’s online customer portal. Other ways to conserve and information about the value of water are located on Missouri American Water’s website, in the Water Learning Center.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Missouri American Water
Missouri American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.6 million people. For more, visit missouriamwater.com and follow Missouri American Water on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
Christie Barnhart
Senior Manager, External Communications
Missouri American Water
christie.barnhart@amwater.com