How Much Water Do You Use?

Average comparisons of normal vs. efficient water use

Bathroom

Activity
Frequency
Circumstances
Water Used
Total / Day
Toilet
5 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.
Shower
Once / Day for 5 minutes
  • Low-Flow
  • Conventional
2 gpm**
2.5 - 8 gpm**
10 gal.
12.5 - 40 gal.
Bath
Once / Day
  • Tub 1/4 to 1/3 Full
  • Full Tub
9 - 12 gal.
36 gal.
9 - 12 gal.
36 gal.
Shaving
Once / Day for 3 minutes
  • Full Sink
  • Open Tap
1 gal.
2.2 - 5 gpm**
1 gal.
6.6 - 15 gal.
Brushing Teeth
Twice / Day
1 minute each
  • Brush and Rinse
  • Open Tap
1.28 gpf**
2.2 gpm**
1/2 - 1 gal.
4.4 - 10 gal.
Washing Hands
Twice / 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

Activity
Frequency
Circumstances
Water Used
Total / Day
Cooking
Washing 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

Activity
Frequency
Circumstances
Water Used
Lawn Trees & Shrubs
Watering varies
Watering 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 Wash
One
  • Full 2 gal. Bucket
  • Hose with Shutoff Nozzle
  • Hose without Shutoff Nozzle
2 gal.
25 - 50 gal.
10 - 12 gpm**
*gpf: gallons per flush
** gpm: 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