The average person uses 80-100 gallons of water a day, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. By using water wisely, you can reduce how much you use and reduce your bill.
Tips to reduce your water bill
- Find and fix leaks
- Install water efficient appliances by looking for the EPA's WaterSense logo on showerheads, toilets, faucets, appliances, and more
- Take a 5-minute shower instead of a tub bath.
- Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
- Wash a full load of dishes in the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand.
- Use a rain barrel to collect water for use on outdoor plants.
- Irrigate in morning or evening to avoid less effective irrigation caused by evaporation.
- Use a spray nozzle when washing cars so water does not continue to run.
- More tips on how to save from EPA's WaterSense
Where does the water go?
| Action | Water Used |
|---|---|
| Toilet Flush | 3 to 7 Gallons |
| Shower | 25 to 50 Gallons |
| Hand Washing | 2 Gallons (with tap running) |
| Brushing Teeth | 2 Gallons (with tap running) |
| Outdoor Watering | 5 to 10 Gallons per Minute |
| Automatic Dishwashing | 10 Gallons |
| Dishwashing By Hand | 20 Gallons |
| Tub Bath | 36 Gallons |
A Large Percentage of Water Is Used for Irrigation
The average American family uses 320 gallons of water per day, about 30 percent of which is devoted to outdoor uses. More than half of that outdoor water is used for watering lawns and gardens. Nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for nearly one-third of all residential water use, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons per day. (Source: WaterSense: Outdoor Water Use in the United States)