My water and sewer bill show more water usage than I can account for.  What can I do to cut down on my water usage?

Leaky plumbing fixtures cost many of us more than we would ever guess. You pay for the water that drip-drip-drips down the drain all day long. But it's a double-whammy cost: you pay for the dripping water in sewer fees, also.

An important way to save on both water and sewer bills is to repair those leaking plumbing fixtures. Leaking, dripping faucets are the easy suspects to locate. If the potential water and sewer savings aren't enough to make you repair or replace them, the annoying "drip… drip…" sound probably will!

But the bigger water thieves are often less conspicuous. Leaking toilet flap valves aren't noisy. They aren't as visible as say, a kitchen faucet. But leaking flap valves can quietly send good, clean water right down the drain… all day, and all night long. Did you ever notice the sound of the toilet tank suddenly filling, for no apparent reason? It's probably because the flap valve has leaked water from the tank, and the fill valve is refilling the tank

The bad news: leaking toilet valves can add up to big water usage numbers, and to big bills.

The good news: the repairs are easy and inexpensive. The cost of repair will probably pay for itself in water and sewer bill savings in just a few months.

If you suspect that your toilet flap valve is leaking, take the toilet tank lid off and have a look. Don't be afraid of the water in the tank - it's still clean. The flap valve is rubber (black or red, probably) and found on the bottom of the tank. If it looks cracked, warped, or brittle, it should be replaced. Even if it looks OK, but it's been there for several years, it might need to be replaced.

Flap valves are easy to replace with parts from any hardware store. If your not comfortable with the task, seek a neighbor's help or call a plumber. You may be pleasantly surprised with your next water and sewer bills.