American Water Teams With EPA For Inaugural “Fix a Leak Week”

American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK), the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company, today announced that it is encouraging all its customers to participate in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense “Fix a Leak Week” from March 16 to 20, 2009. Because minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, this event is to remind Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

“Leaks can account for 11,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, or enough to fill a backyard swimming pool,” said Dr. Mark W. LeChevallier, director of Innovation & Environmental Stewardship for American Water. “Fixing easily corrected leaks can save more than 200 gallons of water in seven days, which could add up to more than 10 percent savings in a water bill.”

Fix a Leak Week, is being run by the EPA’s WaterSense program and is encouraging homeowners to look for leaky toilet, faucets, and showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts can be installed by do-it-yourselfers and pay for themselves in no time. Other water-saving tips include:

• Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.
• Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home up to 200 gallons of water per day.
• For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
• Landscape irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.

For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.

About American Water

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.