Fix a Leak
Fix a Leak Week is a national campaign sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense program, which seeks to inform the public on how to identify and fix leaks. By making fixes, Americans put a stop to the more than 1 trillion gallons of water being wasted from household leaks each year. Fix a Leak Week occurs in March each year. The Charlottesville Water Conservation Program promotes the Fix a Leak Week and campaign each year with various events and outreach.
Celebrate Finding and Fixing Water Leaks this March!
This March, the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA), and Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority (RWSA) are hosting and participating in several FREE events to help encourage our community to save water and FIX A LEAK.
2026 Fix a Leak Events
Home Scavenger Hunt
Put on your detective hat and help us find and fix leaks in your home by going on your own home scavenger hunt! Please make sure to complete and submit your worksheet to be eligible for to win a special prize.
- 2026 Fix a Leak Home Scavenger Hunt Worksheet (PDF)
- Digital Submission for Home Scavenger Hunt Worksheet (LINK)
- BÚSQUEDA DEL TESORO PARA REPARAR UNA FUGA EN CASA (PDF) (Fix a Leak Home Scavenger Hunt Worksheet in Spanish- coming soon)
- Submit your responses by April 13th!
- Online: Submission link will be live until April 13th
- By Mail: Water Conservation- Office of Sustainability, PO Box 911, Charlottesville, VA 22902
- By Drop Box: Include with your utility bill to the City or ACSA
- Other Helpful Resources
- Home Water Works Calculator (LINK)
- Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (water wholesaler) (LINK)
- Arizona Municipal Water Users Association Smart Home Water Guide (LINK)
- Request a Practical Plumbing Handbook (City of Charlottesville Residents Only) (LINK)
- Take the WaterSense 10-Minute Leak Challenge (PDF)
- Spanish Translated 10-Minute Leak Challenge (PDF)
Fix a Leak Prizes
- For participating in the Home Scavenger Hunt, you will be entered to win a $50 gift card from a local gardening business! You must complete the worksheet in full and provide your contact information to be eligible.
March 11th, 5:30 - 7pm: Green Drinks at Firefly
Celebrate water and finding and fixing water leaks at Green Drinks at Firefly restaurant. You will hear from organizations involved with the Rivanna Stormwater Education Partnership as well as tips for finding and fixing water leaks in your home.
March 13th, 9:30 - 11am: Catch My Drip: Climate Cafe on Water Resources at the Bradbury Cafe
Come discuss all things water at March's Climate Cafe. There will be discussions around understanding our stormwater, learning about our water supply, and exploring new ways to educate the community. Please RSVP through Eventbrite (LINK).
Rivanna RiverFest on May 9th
RiverFest is not officially part of our Fix a Leak events this year as it is well past the month of March. However, it is still an amazing event to come learn about and enjoy the Rivanna River, one of our drinking water sources. We will have a table at this year's event with family friendly activities. More details to come, come celebrate and experience your river!
Go to the event webpage for full list of activities and details: rivannariver.org/rivanna-riverfest.
Fix a Leak Tips
To help save water for future generations, we are asking consumers to check, twist, and replace:
- Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, sprinklers, and other fixtures. Also check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring or use a dye tab from the free conservation kits offered at the Utility Billing Office into the tank, waiting 10 minutes, and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots too.
- Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections. To save water without a noticeable difference in flow in your bathroom, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.
- Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for WaterSense labeled models. These models are independently certified to use 20% less water and perform as well as or better than standard models. WaterSense showerheads and faucet aerators are available for free for City residents at the Utility Billing Office in City Hall.
Take the 10 Minute Fix a Leak Challenge using this helpful checklist (PDF)
For more information on how to find and fix leaks in your home go to our Programs & Resource Page.
- 1 Fix a Leak Family 5K Group picture
- 2 Fix a Leak Family 5K picture of Running Toilet at Start
- 3 Fix a Leak Family 5K Event Pictures from 2019 of Runners trying to catch the toilet
- 4 Fix a Leak Family 5K Event Pictures from 2019 running toilet getting a head start in run
- 5 Fix a Leak Family 5K Event Pictures from 2019 of Runners at Start running
- 6 Fix a Leak Family 5K Water Conservation Table
- 7 Fix a Leak Family 5K Picture of a girl with Spokesgallon Flo
- 8 Fix a Leak Family 5K Event Pictures from 2019 Group picture of some runners
- 9 Fix a Leak Family 5K 2015 Picture of our Running Toilet
- 10 Fix a Leak Family 5K Event Pictures from 2019 Picture of Water Conservation Table