Checking for and repairing property leaks saves water, saves money, and can prevent damage to your home. That's why the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) launched is 19th annual Detect-A-Leak Week public service campaign, which urges our island community to check for and repair property and underground leaks. This year's observance runs from June 7, 2009 through June 13, 2009.

Take time this week to check for leaks in plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and other equipment on your property. It's easy. Just turn off all water faucets and other water-using fixtures, and then check your water meter to see if the dial is moving. If it is, bingo! You have a leak. Have the leak repaired as soon as possible.

Visually inspect faucets, pipes, and other fixtures. For toilets, use dye tablets to check for leakage. Free dye tablets are available from the BWS, City Mill or at Satellite City Halls.

Finally, examine your lawn for wet spots where grass seems greener. This could indicate a broken underground pipe, which also is serious stuff.

Further information about Checking for Leaks, useful Leak Detection Hints and a fact sheet on How to Check for Leaks may be found on our website be clicking these links.

Want to see just how easy and fun leak detection can be? Click on the play button on the media player below to view an instructional video featuring BWS Water Service Investigator Glenn Peer showing you how to detect property leaks at home.

If the media player does not appear, you may alternatively download or stream this video by clicking here.

Register to win a free home leak inspection! 50 single-family homes on Oahu will receive free leak detection assistance from the Board of Water Supply. To sign up for this drawing, fill out this entry form and mail it to the Board of Water Supply Communications Office or email your name, address, and daytime phone number to leaks@hbws.org. To be eligible: Mailed-in entries must be post-marked by June 17, 2009; Online entries must be received by June 17, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.

This water conservation project is brought to you by the Board of Water Supply,with support from City Mill, the Sierra Club of Oahu and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.