BELLEVILLE, Ill., March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Illinois American Water is recognizing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Fix a Leak Week 2026 by sharing simple, practical tips customers can use to locate and address common household leaks that waste water, drive up bills, and strain home plumbing.

"Finding and fixing leaks can help customers protect their water, homes, businesses and monthly bills," said Brian Eisenloeffel, Vice President of Operations, Illinois American Water. "Illinois American Water invested more than $280 million in 2025 to modernize water and wastewater infrastructure statewide, supporting safe, clean, and reliable service for our customers."

Household leaks are more common than many people realize. According to the EPA, leaks affect about one in 10 homes and can waste more than 90 gallons of water each day.

"Many people might be surprised to find that some leaks are invisible to homeowners because they don't have obvious signs like finding water on the floor. Invisible or visible, finding and fixing leaks reduces your utility bills and helps prevent damage to your property," continued Eisenloeffel. "We all have a role to play in conserving water, our most precious resource."

Here are a few places where leaks are often found:

• Toilets: A defective plunger ball or flapper valve can waste water by causing the tank to continually drain and refill. To test, drop a dye-tracing tablet or a small amount of food coloring in the tank and wait 5 minutes. If the dye-colored water seeps into the bowl, you may have a leak and need to replace the defective part.
• Faucets: A leaky faucet can waste nearly 3,200 gallons of water per year. If you notice dripping, try closing it tightly. If it continues to drip, the washer may need to be replaced.
• Washing Machines and Dishwashers: If you see water on the floor near your washing machine or dishwasher, that could indicate a leak. You may want to call your repair service.
• Bathtubs and Showers: Check the spout and showerhead for dripping water. New washers may be needed on the faucet handles.
• Boiler Systems: If the sound of running water is continuous and does not stop and start periodically, there may be a leak. Contact a professional for an inspection and to perform any necessary repairs.

Learn more by downloading Illinois American Water's leak-detection kit and checking out the company's Fix a Leak Week blog post. Customers can also review water use for unexpected spikes and manage their accounts through MyWater, Illinois American Water's online customer portal.

Additional tips on water conservation and the value of water are available through the company's Water Learning Center.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram 

About Illinois American Water
Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 600 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

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SOURCE American Water