A simple home water audit can help residents find hidden leaks, reduce water waste and lower household utility bills.
ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The Rockland County Water Advisory Council is encouraging residents to conduct a simple home water audit to identify hidden leaks, improve water efficiency, reduce utility costs and help protect the county’s long-term water resources.
While homeowners often focus on conserving water outdoors during the summer, indoor water use can account for a significant portion of a household’s overall water consumption. Small leaks, aging plumbing fixtures and inefficient appliances can waste thousands of gallons of water each year without being noticed.
A home water audit can help residents identify where water is being wasted and find opportunities to conserve.
Four Simple Ways to Check Your Home
The Water Advisory Council recommends that residents start by:
- Checking the water meter: Make sure no water is being used in the home, then check the meter. Movement may indicate a hidden leak.
- Testing toilets for leaks: Use dye tablets to check for silent toilet leaks that may otherwise go unnoticed.
- Upgrading plumbing fixtures: Consider replacing older fixtures with WaterSense®-labeled products, which are designed to use less water while maintaining performance.
- Inspecting irrigation systems: Check outdoor irrigation equipment for leaks, broken sprinkler heads and other problems that can waste hundreds of gallons of water during the summer.
Free Water Conservation Resources Available
Rockland County residents can also access resources designed to make water conservation easier.
Residents can visit EPA WaterSense for information about saving water at home and use educational materials available through the Rockland County Water Hero program.
Rebates are also available through Veolia for qualifying WaterSense® products. Eligible products may include select toilets, showerheads, clothes washers, irrigation controllers and rain barrels.
The Water Advisory Council is also offering free water conservation tools, including:
- Shower timers
- Toilet leak-detection tablets
- Moisture meters
Supplies are limited. Residents can pick up the tools at the Water Advisory Council office, find them at community events, or request them by signing up to become an H2O Hero through the Rockland Water Hero program. Visit Rockland Water Hero
The Rockland County Water Conservation Project is funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.