PUCO, Ohio EPA and Ohio Department of Insurance promote “Fix a Leak Week” 2026

Article presented by The Outdoor Drama, Tecumseh! …

COLUMBUS, OH (Mar. 16, 2026) – Small, unnoticed leaks can drive up water bills and could lead to property damage for Ohio homeowners.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water nationwide each year, and the average home loses about 10,000 gallons annually to easily correctable drips. These common leaks are often simple to fix, and the tools needed to repair them can quickly pay for themselves through water savings.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) are promoting “Fix a Leak Week,” March 16–22, 2026. Fix a Leak Week is sponsored by the U.S. EPA’s WaterSense program as an annual reminder to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

“During Fix a Leak Week, we’re reminding Ohioans that small drips can lead to big costs,” said PUCO Chair Jenifer French. “Taking just a few minutes out of your day to repair easily corrected leaks can help conserve water and lower your bills.”

The Ohio Department of Insurance also reminds Ohioans that leaking or burst water fixtures and pipes can cause serious damage to a property and its contents. Repairs can be costly without enough insurance protection. Consumers should conduct a homeowners or renters insurance review with an insurance agent on the limits, provisions, exclusions, and endorsements that may apply to the terms of water loss coverage.

Tips on detecting and correcting leaks

• Check your utility bill: if a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons a month, there’s likely a leak problem. Also check for spikes in usage throughout the year – if your water bill suddenly increases month to month, it might be time to take a closer look.
• Read your water meter: check your meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, it’s possible you have a leak.
• Examine faucet gaskets, pipefitting and toilet flappers: if you need more help with fixing hardware, your local hardware or home improvement store can help.
• Take it outside: don’t forget to check outdoor sources of water, like sprinklers or garden hoses.

Introduced in 2006, WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. EPA that makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment by identifying water-efficient products, services and homes. The WaterSense label can be found on toilets and bathroom faucets. Products that have earned the WaterSense label have been independently tested to meet water-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find a WaterSense labeled product in your area. For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week.