By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays is the only municipality in Kansas with a population greater than 15,000 that is not located near a sustainable source of water.
Current water supplies fluctuate based on precipitation. Conserving water has become a "way of life" for Hays residents and the city.
Through the Department of Water Resources, programs and incentives are available to encourage water conservation. One of those is an annual proclamation of "Fix a Leak Week."
Mayor Sandy Jacobs read and signed the proclamation Thursday declaring March 15 to 21 as "Fix a Leak Week" in Hays.
The observation is in partnership with WaterSense, a voluntary program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect the future of the nation's water supply by promoting water efficiency and use of WaterSense labeled appliances and products.
According to the EPA, household leaks account for nearly 1 trillion gallons of water wasted across the United States each year - equal to the annual household water use of nearly 11 million homes.
People are encouraged to check their household fixtures and irrigations for water leaks during the third week of March.
Many common household leaks are easily correctible, including worn toilet flappers, leaking showerheads, and dripping faucets.
Fixing leaks can save homeowners an average of more than 10,000 gallons of water per year - the amount of water in a typical backyard swimming pool- the EPA says.
Water rates in Hays are tiered; the more you use, the more you're charged per cubic foot.
Holly Dickman, water conservation specialist, will be distributing red dye tablets and information to all elementary school students in Hays, encouraging the kids to be "leak detectives" and check for silent leaks in their household toilets.
If a leak is found, follow up tips are provided, including the city's toilet rebate program.
The "Leak Detective" program, which includes prizes, was cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
