Durham Saves Water

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Text reads: "Fix a Leak Week Scavenger Hunt. Get Started!" Wayne Drop dressed as a detective.

Get your first clue!

Fix a Leak Week: March 20 - 26, 2023

This year’s Fix a Leak Week encourages Americans to help put a stop to the more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted from household leaks each year.

Leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water in an average home every year—the amount of water it takes to wash 300 loads of laundry. As a WaterSense partner, we are encouraging consumers to find and fix leaks to save water in our community.

The City’s Department of Water Management is hosting a couple of workshops for the public to learn more about finding and fixing leaks. Staff will be hosting two free workshops in conjunction with the Durham County Library:

Customers can register for these workshops by clicking their desired date and time above.

In addition to the workshops, the Department is hosting a fun and easy virtual scavenger hunt through its website. Participants of all ages will this enjoy a quick and educational quest, and all City of Durham water customers that complete the scavenger hunt will be awarded prizes. The scavenger hunt will begin on March 1 and run through March 21, starting from durhamsaveswater.org.

Like and follow @DurhamWater on Twitter and facebook for updates on all event opportunities.

To help save water, energy, and lower bills, Durham is also asking consumers to check, twist, and replace:

  • Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, sprinklers, and other fixtures. Also check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank, waiting 10 minutes, and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots too.
  • Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections. To save water without a noticeable difference in flow in your bathroom, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator. 
  • Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models. Water Efficiency Kits are available for $3 at Durham City Hall.

In many cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by handy do-it-yourselfers or local plumbing professionals. Irrigation professionals certified through a WaterSense labeled program can also check your systems for leaks. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find WaterSense labeled products or an auditor in your area.

2023 WATER CONSERVATION POSTER CONTEST

Theme: Save Blue. Live Green.

We are excited to announce our 2023 Water Conservation Poster Contest. Each year the City of Durham’s Department of Water Management celebrates National Drinking Water Week (May 7 - 13, 2023), by sponsoring a water conservation poster contest. This contest brings attention to the importance of water as a resource through art created by our Durham youth in kindergarten through eighth grade.  

Submissions will be accepted via direct mail or electronically through our contest portal. All poster entries must be submitted according to the guidelines (PDF) no later than March 25, 2023.

2023 Poster Contest. Theme Save Blue. Live Green. Open to grades k-8. Posters due March 25, 2023