Leak Detection Toilet Tablets, Kits Offered During ‘Fix a Leak Week’

Need help determining if your toilet is leaking? The county Department of Water can help.

In honor of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fix a Leak Week, the Department of Water is offering free leak detection toilet tablets at its Līhu‘e office from March 14-18.

“Fix a Leak Week serves as an annual reminder for residents and businesses to take the necessary steps to fix long-standing leaks, no matter how big or small,” said DOW Manager and Chief Engineer Joe Tait in a news release. “Producing high-quality drinking water utilizes vital resources and together, we can help minimize excessive demand over time if we all do our part to eliminate leaks.”

Along with the tablets, the department is also offering free leak detection starter kits to help customers start leak detection at home. Kits are offered one per household whiles supplies last.

Additionally, free toilet tablets are available at the Tanaka Hardware Store in Līhu‘e.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Tanaka Hardware Store to offer free toilet tablets in-store, just in time for Fix a Leak Week,” said Jonell Kaohelauli‘i, DOW’s information and education specialist, in the release. “As an added bonus, their friendly associates can help locate the right hardware to fix or replace a leaking toilet or plumbing fixture.”

The most common household leak is a leaky toilet, which is typically caused by a worn-out toilet flapper. DOW recommends checking toilets for leaks monthly. According to the news release, undetected leaks can result in an increase on monthly water bills if not checked and repaired right away.

The DOW and EPA also encourage consumers to visually inspect household plumbing fixtures and outdoor leaks by following three simple steps: Check. Twist. Replace.

• Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, sprinklers and other fixtures. For toilets, put a few drops of food coloring or a toilet tablet into the tank and wait 10 minutes. If any color appears in the bowl, your toilet has a leak. Don’t forget to also check irrigation systems and outdoor spigots. Examine your lawn for wet spots where grass seems greener. This could indicate a broken underground pipe. If you find a leak, have it repaired as soon as possible.
• Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections. For additional savings, twist on a low-flow aerator to each faucet to save water without noticing a difference in flow.
• Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use reduce water use by 20% and perform as well as or better than standard models.

For more information about Fix a Leak Week and other leak detection tips, click here. Follow the trend online with the hashtags #FixALeakWeek, #LeakDetective and #FALW and visit the DOW on Facebook.