The importance of repairing leaks and saving water in the workplace and other commercial buildings such as hospitals, schools, hotels, retail stores, and community centers, as well as in the home is the focus for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual “Fix A Leak Week” program.

In 2026, Fix a Leak Week takes place March 16 – 22. It is supported the San Diego County Water Authority and many of its 22 member agencies, and by other regional WaterSense partners throughout North America.

Fix a Leak Week was created in 2009 by the EPA’s WaterSense program. It offers a reminder every March to check indoor and outdoor plumbing systems for leaks.

San Diego County Residents Lead In Water Savings

Total per capita water use in the San Diego County Water Authority’s service area has dropped from a high of 222 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) to just 126 GPCD in FY 2025. During this timeframe, potable water use fell by more than 45%, even as the region’s population grew by about 14%.

Since 1991, the Water Authority’s water-use efficiency programs and initiatives have cumulatively conserved more than one million acre-feet of water. These savings were achieved through various measures, including incentives for water-efficient devices, legislative efforts, and outreach programs.

Leaks and continuously running water may not always be visible, but they can add up quickly and become a major cost in water and energy bills.

A faucet leaking one drip per second can waste nearly 58 gallons per week, while a showerhead leaking 10 drips per minute can waste about 10 gallons per week. Worn-out washers or loose connections are common culprits. Turn off the water, replace old washers, and tighten any loose fittings.

City of Oceanside Workshop Set on March 31

The City of Oceanside offers an in-person workshop on Tuesday, March 31, for its residents to learn the basics of finding leaks in their homes. Participants will see hands-on “how-to” demonstrations explaining how to:

• Read a water meter
• Manage your water use
• Find and fix common sneaky toilet leaks

“As California residents, we understand how precious water can be. Using water wisely, like planting low-water or native plants and using low-water fixtures, makes a huge difference. But small leaks, like a worn toilet flapper or a dripping faucet, can have large unseen impacts,” said Emyle Rogers, Management Analyst with the City of Oceanside, who will lead the workshop.

“According to the EPA, the average household can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year due to easy-to-fix leaks. The City of Oceanside provides tools to empower the community to identify these leaks and save water.

“Teaching hands-on skills, the Fix A Leak Workshop hosted by the City will help residents learn about the free WaterSmart portal, how to read their meter, and how to fix simple toilet leaks,” said Rogers.

The workshop is free. Residents are asked to register in advance at this link: https://bit.ly/FixALeakWorkshop26

Be Alert For Leaks By Following These Tips

View an informative video about Fix A Leak Week 2026 from the Vallecitos Water District.

• Listen and look for unexpected water use indoors and outdoors, such as running water, unanticipated discharge to floor drains, or wet spots and puddling water on floors.
• Don’t wait for a high-water bill to find problems. Read water meters during off-peak hours when water use is lower. If the meter continues to show high use, there may be a leak.
• During the colder months, check your water usage on your water bill. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, you may have a leak.
• Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes, you may have a leak. Contact your water agency immediately.
• Place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak.
• If your garden hose leaks during use, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.

The EPA offers a helpful checklist to ensure you identify and find any possible sources of leaks.

Rebates and Incentives: A range of rebates and incentives programs are available to Water Authority customers who implement efficient water technologies and practices. These include rebates on irrigation devices, turf replacement, high-efficiency clothes washers and toilets. These programs have helped hundreds of thousands of residential, commercial, and agricultural water users improve their water efficiency.

Audits and Surveys: Programs offering residential, commercial, and agricultural customers free, on-site water-use evaluations that identify specific measures to save water are a great resource.

Learn about the residential, commercial, and agricultural programs and rebates available to assist residents and businesses in conserving water and saving money on the Water Authority’s Conservation webpage.