The city of Emporia and Environmental Protection Agency are asking residents to do their best to find and fix household water leaks.
Believe it or not, National Fix a Leak Week is a thing — and it’s taking place this week. Public Works Underground Utilities Manager Kevin Wiggins says it’s an underrated problem for homeowners, landowners and renters alike.
Both the EPA and the city say household leaks can led to about a trillion gallons of water loss every year, and the city is encouraging residents to find and fix water leaks, both inside and outside their homes. Wiggins says fixing leaks can save customers up to 10 percent on their monthly bills, depending on the length and severity of the leak.
Residents suspecting water leaks need to start by turning off all water and halting other water-related activities, like washing dishes or clothes. Wiggins says the next step is to wait up to two hours before checking the water meter. If the numbers have changed, there is a leak somewhere on the property.
Click here for information through the Environmental Protection Agency.
Water loss has been a concern in Emporia the past several years for several different reasons, including a host of waterline breaks, the significance of some of those breaks and the loss of water due to failures in drought years like last year.
Speaking of water issues, the city has detailed the large scope of the 24th and Prairie waterline improvement project, set to begin by early June and now possibly ending by winter 2025. City Communications Manager Christine Torrens says this will involve close to 13,000 liner feet of new water mains, with sizes anywhere from 6 to 24 inches in diameter. There will also be over 30 new service lines and other related adjustments.
Besides meaning new pipe from 24th and Industrial east to Prairie and south to 12th, there will be numerous traffic impacts, including the Emporia Pavilions shopping center, Emporia State Federal Credit Union’s Industrial Road location, homes, Presbyterian Manor, Four Seasons Apartments, Westside Baptist Church, other unnamed businesses and Memorial Lawn Cemetery. West 24th and Prairie will have what’s best described as a rolling closure right around the immediate work zone.
A public information meeting is coming May 14.
