Across America, household leaks are wasting more than 1 trillion gallons of water per year. WaterSense, a partnership programme sponsored by the EPA, seeks to protect the future of America’s water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water.

The EPA and WaterSense are providing consumers with ways to identify and repair dripping taps, running toilets and leaky showerheads during 'Fix a leak week'. They suggest reducing tap leaks by checking washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them; checking for silent toilet leaks by placing a few drops of food colouring in the cistern, and checking the bowl for colour after a few minutes, or before flushing; and replacing the nylon or rubber hose washer on a garden hosepipe and ensuring a tight connection.

Peter Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water said: “Easy-to-fix leaks in the average American home waste enough water each year to fill a backyard swimming pool. EPA created Fix a Leak Week to help homeo