COLUMBIA - Fix a Leak Week begins today to remind South Carolinians to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

"DHEC is promoting the first Fix a Leak week in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense Program," said David Wilson, chief of DHEC's Bureau of Water. "Minor water leaks account for more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes. Repairing leaks is not only a smart way to conserve water; it can save money by lowering water bills.

During Fix a Leak Week, DHEC encourages consumers to locate and repair drips and leaks in faucets, toilets, showerheads, and garden spigots and hoses, as well as to check landscape irrigation systems for frost or freeze damage. If plumbing fixtures must be replaced, DHEC encourages consumers to look for EPA's WaterSense label. Water- Sense labeled toilets and faucets perform as well as or better than standard models and they are certified to save water.

"In most cases, fixture replacement parts can be installed by do-it-yourselfers and will quickly save enough to cover the cost of the repair," Wilson said. "And, considering recent drought conditions, fixing leaks is also the right thing to do to conserve our water supply for our neighbors and our environment."