LIHU‘E — The county Board of Water Supply has free items for water users to help them to conserve water, which leads to lower water and sewer bills. “During the 2013 Detect-A-Leak Week, we’ll have leak detection tablets available in
LIHU‘E — The county Board of Water Supply has free items for water users to help them to conserve water, which leads to lower water and sewer bills.
“During the 2013 Detect-A-Leak Week, we’ll have leak detection tablets available in the front office where people can pick them up for free,” said Board Deputy Director Kirk Saiki. “The week of March 18 through 24 has been designated as Detect-A-Leak Week which provides water consumers an opportunity to ensure there are no water leaking in, or around the home.”
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., in announcing the commemoration, said the Board of Water Supply, as a steward of this precious resource, strives to ensure that Kaua‘i residents have access to safe, affordable and sufficient drinking water for the present and future generations through wise management of water and excellent customer service.
Joy Buccat, the board’s community relations manager, said water users can go to www.kauaiwater.org to find tips on water conservation. She said testing for leaks involves three easy steps, including turning off all water faucets, pipes and other water-using fixtures to make sure no water is running; locating the water meter, which usually is located in or near the sidewalk area fronting one’s home; and checking the meter to see if the dial is moving.
A moving dial indicates a leak and steps should be taken to correct it, helping to save water while lowering the user’s water and sewer bill and also conserves energy.
The stewardship of Kaua‘i’s water resources is a basic component of effective water management, Carvalho said. However, millions of gallons of water are wasted each day through leaks in toilets, irrigation and cooling systems, and other water fixtures.
Additionally, the County of Kaua‘i, Board of Water Supply, announces its Third Annual island-wide Conservation Through Leak Detection contest in support of the Detect-A-Leak objective.
The contest is open to all fourth grade classes and students within the Department of Education’s public school system on Kaua‘i with the goal being to build awareness of conserving water.
Among the free items available for the public is a children’s activity and coloring book which builds awareness about the island’s finite drinking water supply.
Other items include toilet flappers, water-restricting faucet adapters and showerheads, and the detect-a-leak tablets.
The annual Detect-A-Leak Week is observed statewide in unison with each respective county water utility, the State Commission on Water Resource Management, and the Hawai‘i Rural Water Association. Visit www.kauaiwater.org for more information on the Board of Water Supply, or ideas on conserving water.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
