The City of Surprise is on a mission to plug up pesky water leaks. To combat water wastage and save on their bills, the Surprise City Council has proclaimed March 18-24 as Fix-A-Leak Week for its residents. This initiative, according to information from the city's official statement, is in line with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s annual awareness campaign that aims to remind people about the importance—and often ease—of rectifying household leaks.
Surprise residents can learn how to find and fix leaks at a free workshop on March 23, at the Surprise Water Education Center. By checking for leaks—whether it’s a worn toilet flapper, a dripping faucet, or another leaking valve—homeowners can save about 10 percent on their water bills while helping to reduce the more than one trillion gallons of water wasted every year nationwide due to household leaks.
To further support the community, the city offers some handy tips to spot leaks. For example, a family of four with winter water usage exceeding 12,000 gallons per month likely has a serious leak issue. Another tip is to check your water meter before and after a two-hour no-use period—if the meter doesn’t read the same, you may have a leak. Plus, Surprise City Hall is providing free toilet test cards to expose sneaky leaks in the loo.
To equip residents with the know-how to wrestle down leaks, the city suggests using resources such as the National Plumbing Handbook or checking out the online Smart Home Water Guide. Simple fixes can often do the trick—like swapping out worn faucet washers or wrapping pipe tape for a tight showerhead connection. And when it's time to replace fixtures, the city encourages opting for WaterSense-labeled models to further save water and money. These practical tips, as featured on the city's website, are designed to help locals mend leaks with minimal hassle.
Residents interested in attending the Find & Fix Water Leaks Workshop are encouraged to register for free at surpriseaz.gov/waterworkshops. With more information to better tackle leaks and to conserve water available at surpriseaz.gov/waterconservation, the city strives to make Fix-A-Leak Week a time for real change in water use and savings. As for more extensive repairs and leak assessments, the city suggests consulting a certified irrigation professional, especially pertinent before reactivating irrigation systems in the spring. With Surprise's concerted effort, the ripple effect of Fix-A-Leak Week could extend well beyond one week of the year.
