Water Conservation
6/25/2024
A recent article in StreamLine, a publication of the Virginia Rural Water Association, provides insight into common residential water usage and some common causes of water loss. Flushing toilets account for approximately 27% of household water usage. This number can increase significantly due to a leaking toilet which is more likely to leak than any other household fixture.
Toilet leaks can be hard to detect as many of the leaks make very little noise. The EPA estimates that an average toilet leak can waste approximately 200 gallons a day or 6,000 gallons per month. This extra 6,000 gallons would add approximately $40.00 to a Town of Victoria residential water bill.
Toilet leaks are very commonly caused by old flappers which do not seal properly and allow water to leak from the tank into the bowl. Identification of this type of leak can be aided by using leak detection tablets or food coloring. The tablet or food coloring is added to the water in the tank and allowed to sit for approximately 30 minutes without flushing. After 30 minutes, check the bowl to see if there is color in the water in the bowl. If there is color in the bowl then the flapper leaks and needs to be replaced.
More information about leaky toilets can be found in the article in StreamLine and the links at the end of the article. The article may be accessed on line at "Leaky Toilets"