Taking Account for Your Water Usage

Home water usage significantly impacts the environment, contributing to: 

  • resource depletion
  • energy consumption, and 
  • potential pollution. 

Overuse can lead to decreased water availability, increased water treatment demands, and harm to aquatic ecosystems. Reducing water usage at home can help conserve resources and minimize negative environmental impacts. 

Task Normal Gallons per Day per Event
Typical Four-Person Family Residential (Gallons)
Typical Three-Person Family Residential (Gallons)
Typical Two-Person Family Residential (Gallons)
Washing face and hands
1
 240
 180
 120
Brushing teeth with water on
2
 240
 120
 120
Brushing teeth with water off
0.25
 60
 60
 30
Flushing toilet (standard flow toilet)
5
 900
 450
 450
Flushing toilet (low flow toilet)
1.5
 270
 270
 N/A
Shaving
2
 60
 60
 20
Running dishwasher
15
 190
 145
 100
Washing dishes by hand
10
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Cooking / drinking
3
 80
 60
 40
Taking a bath
40
 2,400
 1,800
 1,200
Taking a shower (standard flow head)
50 (5 minutes)
 1,500
 750
 750
Taking a shower (low flow head)
25 (5 minutes)
 750
 375
 N/A
Doing a load of laundry
30
 520
 390
 260
Washing car
50
 300
 300
 200
Totals
N/A
 7,510
 4,960
 3,290