Department of Land and Natural Resources

 

MARCH 18-24 IS DETECT-A-LEAK WEEK IN HAWAI‘I

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie has issued a proclamation recognizing March 18-24, 2013 as “Detect-A-Leak-Week” in Hawaii. The proclamation also announces that the State Commission on Water Resource Management, in partnership with the island county water departments and the Hawai‘i Rural Water Association, is encouraging all Hawai‘i residents to check for leaks at their home, properties and workplaces as part of “Detect-A-Leak Week.”

“The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ “Rain Follows the Forest” initiative aims to enhance water supplies by protecting and restoring our rainforests to capture as much of the rain as possible,” said Governor Abercrombie. “But we must also be good stewards of our drinking water by using it as efficiently as possible, which involves checking for leaks and taking corrective action. Detect-A-Leak Week is an important statewide awareness program that complements this Administration’s efforts to increase the recharge of our aquifers and streams.”

“Water is often taken for granted and many of us realize its importance only when water is not conveniently available,” said William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management. “By checking for and repairing leaks, we can all do our small part to ensure that water is available for generations to come.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that common household leaks can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water each year in the average home — enough water to fill a backyard swimming pool. This water loss can be significantly reduced in Hawai‘i if all residents statewide check their plumbing fixtures for leaks.

 

“Detecting and fixing leaks creates a win-win situation as it helps customers save money on their water and sewer bills while preserving our precious water supply,” said Ernest Lau, Honolulu Board of Water Supply (HBWS) Manager and Chief Engineer. During Detect-A-Leak-Week the HBWS is issuing toilet leak detection dye tablets at its Public Service Building, all Satellite City Halls and City Mill stores on O‘ahu.

“Every effort made to repair leaks helps protect water, our most precious resource. Thank you for doing your part at home and in your yard during Detect-A-Leak Week,” said Quirino Antonio, County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply Manager and Chief Engineer. During Detect-A-Leak-Week, the Department is distributing toilet leak detection dye tablets at all ACE hardware, Home Depot, and HPM Building Supply stores, as well as Department of Water Supply customer service counters.

 

Kaua‘i Department of Water (DOW) Manager and Chief Engineer David Craddick said, “Leaks are a problem for the Water Department as well as for our customers and we appreciate any information from the public about leaks in the public system.” The DOW is holding a conservation contest for all fourth grade classes with the Department of Education on Kaua‘i during Detect-A-Leak-Week. In addition, toilet leak detection dye tablets will be distributed in the DOW office building lobby.

”Fixing leaks saves water, saves energy and lowers your water bill,” said David Taylor, Director of the Maui Department of Water Supply. The Department will distribute toilet leak detection dye tablets at its main office building in Wailuku during Detect-A-Leak-Week.

 

“As stewards of the water that is available for us in nature, we should eliminate any wasting of this precious resource; not just for now, but for our future generations. The drop you save today could be the glass of water you need tomorrow,” said Gary Byrd, Hawai‘i Rural Water Association (HWRA) Executive Director. See more information on the HWRA website.

There are three types of leaks that should be checked – toilet, property and underground leaks. For more information on how Detect-A-Leak Week is being observed on each island and for more tips on how to check for leaks at home, visit:

Board of Water Supply, City and County of Honolulu: www.boardofwatersupply.com

County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply: www.hawaiidws.org

County of Kaua‘i Department of Water: www.kauaiwater.org

County of Maui Department of Water Supply: www.mauiwater.org

Hawai‘i Rural Water Association: www.hawaiirwa.org

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For more information news media may contact:

Deborah Ward, Commission on Water Resource Management, 808-587-0320

Kanani Aton, County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply, 808-961-7204

Joy Buccat, County of Kaua‘i Department of Water, 808-245-5461

Jacky Takakura, County of Maui Department of Water Supply, 808-270-8046

Dymian Racoma, Board of Water Supply, City and County of Honolulu, 808-748-5366

Karrie Lasater, Hawai‘i Rural Water Association, 808-495-0264

News in brief: March 18-24 is “Detect-A-Leak-Week” in Hawaii. The State Commission on Water Resource Management, in partnership with the island county water departments and the Hawai‘i Rural Water Association, is encouraging all Hawai‘i residents to check for leaks at their home, properties and workplaces as part of “Detect-A-Leak Week.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that common household leaks can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water each year in the average home—enough water to fill a backyard swimming pool. This water loss can be significantly reduced in Hawai‘i if all residents statewide check their plumbing fixtures for leaks.

During Detect-A-Leak-Week, county water departments and selected hardware stores will be giving out free toilet leak detection dye tablets to the public for home use. For more information on how Detect-A-Leak Week is being observed on each island and for more tips on how to check for leaks at home, visit:

Board of Water Supply, City and County of Honolulu: www.boardofwatersupply.com
County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply: www.hawaiidws.org
County of Kaua‘i Department of Water: www.kauaiwater.org
County of Maui Department of Water Supply: www.mauiwater.org
Hawai‘i Rural Water Association: www.hawaiirwa.org