How Much Water Do You Use?

Average Comparisons of Normal vs. Efficient Water Use

Data marked with gpf * equals gallons per flush

Data marked with gpm ** equals gallons per minute

1 Real cooking figure will be higher to include boiling water, rinsing utensils and other uses.
2 Laundry figure is based on two full loads per person per week.
Numbers are based on approximate, average household use. Water use will vary with individual habits and lifestyles, differing water pressure and the age and model of appliances.

Bathroom

ActivityFrequencyCircumstancesWater UsedTotal / Day
Toilet5 Flushes / Day
  • High Efficiency (HET)
  • Standard (after 1992)
  • Water wasting
1.28 gpf*
1.6 gpf
3.5 - 7 gpf		6.4 gal.
8 gal.
17.5 - 35 gal.
ShowerOnce / Day for 5 minutes
  • Low-Flow
  • Conventional
2 gpm**
2.5 - 8 gpm**		10 gal.
12.5 - 40 gal.
BathOnce / Day
  • Tub 1/4 to 1/3 Full
  • Full Tub
9 - 12 gal.
36 gal.		9 - 12 gal.
36 gal.
ShavingOnce / Day for 3 minutes
  • Full Sink
  • Open Tap
1 gal.
2.2 - 5 gpm**		1 gal.
6.6 - 15 gal.
Brushing TeethTwice / Day
1 minute each
  • Brush and Rinse
  • Open Tap
1.28 gpf**
2.2 gpm**		1/2 - 1 gal.
4.4 - 10 gal.
Washing HandsTwice / Day 1 minute each
  • Efficient Aerator
  • Standard
  • Older water wasting
1 gpm**
2.2 gpm**
3 - 5 gpm**		2 gal.
4.4 gal.
10 gal

Kitchen

ActivityFrequencyCircumstancesWater UsedTotal / Day
CookingWashing Produce for 3 minutes
  • In A Pot
  • Open Tap
1 - 2 gal.
2.2 - 5 gpm**		1 - 2 gal.
6.6 15 gal.
Automatic Dishwasher
  • Efficient
  • Standard
7 gal. per load
7 - 14 gal. per load
Manual Dish Washing
  • Full Sink Wash / Rinse
  • Open Tap
9 gal.
30 gal.
Laundry
  • Efficient
  • Standard
15 - 25 gal. per load
40 - 50 gal. per load

Outdoors

ActivityFrequencyCircumstancesWater Used
Lawn Trees & ShrubsWatering variesWatering requirements vary with plant species, type of turf, season, region and soil type. Consult your local nursery. Watering your landscape can take thousands of gallons of water a week.
Car WashOne
  • Full 2 gal. Bucket
  • Hose with Shutoff Nozzle
  • Hose without Shutoff Nozzle
2 gal.
25 - 50 gal.
10 - 12 gpm**