NEWS RELEASES
For Immediate Release
April 8, 2026
BWS Partners with City Mill to Observe Detect-A-Leak Week, April 12-18, 2026
HONOLULU – The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) has partnered with City Mill this year to observe the annual Detect-A-Leak Week campaign, April 12-18, 2026.
The campaign encourages residents and businesses to find and fix common household leaks that often go unnoticed, wasting our precious water supply and increasing utility bills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, household leaks can waste nearly 900 billion gallons of water each year -- equal to the annual water use of nearly 11 million homes.
“Saving water starts at home with simple actions like fixing leaks,” said BWS Manager and Chief Engineer Ernie Lau. “By checking for hidden leaks and making repairs early, residents can help conserve water and lower their utility bills.”
One of the most common and sneaky water wasters in the home is a leaking toilet. A worn or faulty toilet flapper can silently allow water to leak from the tank into the bowl, often without homeowners realizing it. Residents can check for this type of leak by placing a leak detection dye tablet in the toilet tank and waiting 10 to 15 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the toilet bowl, there may be a leak.
To help raise awareness, BWS and City Mill will host two free, family-friendly events where residents can learn how to detect and fix common leaks, get practical water-saving tips, take free toilet leak detection dye tablets, play games and win a variety of prizes.
In-Person Events:
- Kickoff – Saturday, April 11, 2026, Town Center of Mililani, noon – 2:00 p.m.
- Wrap-up – Saturday, April 18, 2026, Kāhala Mall (Center Court), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The free leak detection tablets will also be available during Detect-A-Leak Week at all Satellite City Halls, City Mill locations, both outreach events, and in the BWS Public Service Building lobby at 630 South Beretania St.
For more information, please visit www.boardofwatersupply.com/dalw, email contactus@hbws.org or call 808-748-5041.
Let’s make every drop count!
About the Board of Water Supply
The Board of Water Supply (BWS), a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu, manages Oʻahu’s municipal water resources and distribution system. As the largest water utility in the State, the BWS serves approximately one million customers on Oʻahu. The BWS embraces its mission of “Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola” – to provide a safe, dependable, and affordable water supply, now and into the future. Uwē ka lani, ola ka honua – “When the heavens weep, the earth lives.” For more information, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com, follow @BWSHonolulu or like the BWS’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BWSHonolulu.
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Contact:
Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Public Information Officer
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319