Every drop adds up — see the true cost of a leak.
A faucet dripping once per second wastes about 19 liters (5 gallons) per day — over 7,000 liters per year. The US EPA estimates household leaks waste nearly 3.8 trillion liters of water annually nationwide. A standard water drop is about 0.05 mL, but larger drips from worn washers can be 0.1-0.2 mL each. Fixing a leaky faucet typically costs $5-10 for a washer replacement but saves $20-100+ per year in water bills. Beyond cost, water treatment and distribution consume significant energy: pumping, treating, and heating water accounts for ~13% of US electricity usage. A leaking hot water faucet wastes both water and the energy used to heat it, roughly doubling the financial impact. Most dripping faucets are caused by worn rubber washers, corroded valve seats, or loose O-rings — all simple, inexpensive repairs.