steady drip

when a faucet is kept open as slightly as possible, so that as few as five droplets of water per minute are released. This preventative measure is taken by tenants and homeowners during the wintertime, to keep the water supply flowing and avoid pipes bursting in subfreezing temperatures. During the coldest months of the year, apartment landlords often advise tenants to leave their faucets on a steady drip, which over an eight hour period may add up to a mere five cents in water costs.