Missouri American Water and EPA Encourage Homeowners to Find and Repair Leaks During Fix-A-Leak Week March 15-21, 2010

ST. LOUIS, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Because minor water leaks account for more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, EPA's WaterSense program has declared March 15 to 21, 2010 as "Fix-a-Leak Week" to remind Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

"Leaks can account for an average of 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, or enough to fill a backyard swimming pool," said Frank Kartmann, president of Missouri American Water. "Working with the EPA WaterSense program saves our customers money and helps to preserve our water resources."

In St. Louis County, Missouri American Water and Angels' Arms, an organization supporting foster children, are completing a bathroom makeover at the organization's South County home to demonstrate how simple repairs and new EPA WaterSense fixtures can save water and money. Missouri American Water donated the materials and Angels' Arms staff and volunteers are completing the work to create a more functional, water-efficient home for the nine children and their house parents.

Missouri American Water customers are also receiving water-saving tips in their water bills this month.  

• Check your toilet, faucets, and pipes for leaks.  American Water offers leak detection kits, which are available at the Learning Center of the company's web site, www.missouriamwater.com.  
• Reduce faucet leaks, by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them, or, if necessary, replacing 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.
• When it is time to replace a plumbing fixture; look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled toilets and faucets have been independently tested and certified to save water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

Missouri American Water

Missouri American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people.

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 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

SOURCE Missouri American Water