All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Public Service Commission visits elementary schools for “Fix a Leak Week”

Water leak


CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Public Service Commission of West Virginia recently participated in the 11th annual “Fix a Leak Week” by bringing educational information about water conservation to third, fourth and fifth grade students in West Virginia.

“Water conservation is a critical issue for our society,” said Public Service Commission chairman Michael Albert. “The average household loses more than 10,000 gallons of water every year, enough to flush a low-flow toilet more than 6,000 times.  The money you save on your water bills will more than pay for the small cost of fixing these leaks.”

Fix a Leak Week encourages families to be vigilant in finding and repairing leaks in household plumbing fixtures and outdoor irrigation systems. 

To help save water, the Commission offers the following tips:

  • Monitor your water bill.  If a family of four uses more than 12,000 gallons per month, you could have a serious leak.  Turn off all water, then read the meter at the beginning and end of two hours. If the meter changes, there is probably a leak.
  • Check for possible toilet leaks.  Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If you see color in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak.  Worn flappers often cause silent toilet leaks.  Flappers are inexpensive and easy to install.
  • If your faucet drips, tighten connections and replace the aerator with a WaterSense labeled model to save water without a noticeable difference in flow.
  • Most leaky showerheads can be fixed by wrapping the pipe stem with pipe tape, then reattaching the showerhead.

For more information, visit the Public Service Commission website at www.psc.state.wv.us and click on “Lower Your Water Bill.”

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon man charged with stealing package from ex-wife’s building, stalking

A Buckhannon man was arrested after allegedly stealing a package and contacting a woman against her will. Thomas Summers, 36, faces charges including entering without breaking, stalking, petit larceny and possession of a controlled substance.

Those pretty red leaves? They’re lying to you: The surprising truth about poinsettias

aoinsettias’ bright red “petals” aren’t flowers at all — they’re modified leaves called bracts, with the true flowers in the tiny yellow center. Learn about the plant’s Aztec roots, how it became a holiday staple, and simple tips to keep it thriving.

Buckhannon man charged with felony domestic battery after altercation over car keys

A Buckhannon man was arrested on a charge of domestic battery, third offense, after allegedly striking a woman when he was “extremely intoxicated” and they refused to give him his car keys.

West Virginia State Parks announces First Day Hikes for New Year’s Day

Twenty-one state parks and forests — including Audra and Canaan — will host free guided hikes on January 1 to help visitors kick off 2026 outdoors.

Mountain CAP to host free workshop for dads in January

Mountain CAP Family Support Center is hosting a free Key Behaviors Workshop for dads and male caregivers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Buckhannon.

The Thread Lab opens Main Street storefront in Buckhannon for custom embroidery and apparel

The Thread Lab has opened a Main Street storefront in Buckhannon, giving customers an easier way to shop and order custom embroidered and personalized apparel. General manager Ashley Marple said a grand opening is planned after the holidays.

WVU doctors warn of whooping cough surge in West Virginia, highest in 15 years

West Virginia is experiencing its highest number of whooping cough cases since 2010, with WVU doctors warning about symptoms and risks. Untreated, the infection can linger for months.

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley, 71, of Buckhannon, WV, a longtime trucker and owner of Riley Trucking and Repair, died December 19, 2025, and is survived by his wife Mary Ann, five children, grandchildren and siblings.

Michele Lynn Mellon

Michele Lynn Mellon, 78, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and Hallmark employee who loved faith, family and handwritten cards, died peacefully at home after an injury and subsequent stroke.