Visual Improvement Award presented
First Citizens Bank, 800 N. Queen St., was presented the Visual Improvement Award for the month of March. Participating in the presentation were Adrian King, Sammy C. Aiken and Barbara LaRoque, with the Appearance Commission; and William Whaley, La Shonda Harrison, Monique Monroe and Liz Dolin with First Citizens Bank.
The Visual Improvement Award is presented by the City of Kinston’s Appearance Commission.
Home Solutions: Fix the leaks, conserve water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program encourages Americans to check and replace leaky plumbing fixtures and sprinkler systems, helping households save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year and as much as 10 percent on utility bills.
Easy-to-fix household leaks waste more than a trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, which equals the amount of water used by more than 11 million homes. When you waste water, you also lose money due to higher utility bills. That’s why fixing a leak is so important.
In just 10 minutes, businesses and homeowners can check water bills and fixtures for water waste; twist and tighten pipe and hose connections; and consider replacing broken or inefficient fixtures with WaterSense-labeled models.
If water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, it’s likely there is a leak problem. Here are some easy tips to try.
Put a few drops of food coloring in the back of the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes. If color shows up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to replace the flapper.
Check outdoor hoses for damage from winter frost and tighten connections at the water source.
For in-ground sprinkler systems, a professional certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can inspect sprinkler heads and pipes for signs of leakage and help homeowners maintain an efficient system and healthy lawn.
Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures for leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of the nation’s water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products and services. Since the program’s inception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save 287 billion gallons of water and $4.7 billion in water and energy bills.
Learn more about fixing leaks, find a certified irrigation professional or search for WaterSense labeled plumbing and irrigation products at epa.gov/watersense.
Source: epa.gov
Trudy W. Pickett is extension family and consumer agent at the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office, 1791 N.C. 11/55. Reach her at 252-527-2191 or trudy_pickett@ncsu.edu.