Water consumption per person per day, in the U.S. (homes, best)

[pikabike]

I keep reading that the average consumption in the US is 100 gallons per day per person! That is just indoor use, no lawn watering or car washing. Most of the use is for flushing toilets.

Really?

My husband told me we use about 3000 gallons per month, for both of us combined, or 50 gallons per day person. Which is literally half what the cited average is. Neither of us is a water miser, so it would appear that the "average" user must be extremely wasteful.

Do you know what your average water use rate is? Care to share it and say whether you feel like you are skimping on its use?

To reiterate our use: 50 gallons per day per person. This is a lot of water, I think. Yet it feels more than just tolerable; it feels perfectly comfortable.

In this country, we are very lucky to have an essential resource for existence available so easily and relatively cheaply.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by pikabike

I keep reading that the average consumption in the US is 100 gallons per day per person! ...

In this country, we are very lucky to have an essential resource for existence available so easily and relatively cheaply.

We average 10 - 14 gal / day each, and we shower daily (We are on a very excellent well, 30+ GPM, so no need to conserve)

our renters use 100 - 150 gal / day (6 different rural homes all on wells)
That makes me very sad due to the stress on my $10,000 septic systems and $5000 well systems and my plumbing fixtures...

I am plumbing in gray water recovery and rain storage to some of the rental homes (20,000 gal)

[pikabike]

I am still wondering how someone can use 100 gpd routinely, when half of that feels quite indulgent. I am hoping to reduce the amount without sacrificing hygiene.

To reduce flushing, in the past I have flushed after two urinations instead of one. But it can make the bathroom smell, however faintly, of pee. Some bathrooms in public places have toilets that offer either a full flush or one with half that amount of water. I think that would be something I would want to install when a replacement is needed.

One place where water goes to waste with us is when warming the shower water before getting in. I will try to pick up a new habit: Just get in even if the water is still cool. That should be good for maybe two gallons every shower, every day.

[North Beach Person]

The number used when planning the size of water and sewer systems is 80 galllons/day per person.

[Romaneats]

We are water misers too..
So probably ard or less than 50 gallons a day per person. Less in the winter.. I dun shower as much.

We have plenty of water where we at, tastes great, it's clean and best of all... Free!!!

[David A Stone]

In boot camp we were taught the "Navy shower"


#1.........wet down, shut off shower
#2.........lather up
#3.........rinse off

[jamies]

We live in the desert. We save water by only bathing every other week and only grow rock and cactus. Also we only drink beer or tequilla. That reduces our consumption down to 3.45 gal per day. Mostly for tooth brushing. Singular.

[Hemlock140]

Average normal amount required has determined to be 80gpd, but the actual average of 100gpd is due to people taking 25 minute showers, using old, inefficient washing machines and dishwashers, and not paying attention to the proper functioning of their toilets. When I worked at a water district I did inspections on high bill complaints and was amazed at how many people had toilets that were running continuously but no one noticed until they got a high water bill.

[pikabike]

How can someone NOT notice a toilet continuously running? Sheesh.

25-minute showers is not hygiene; it is luxuriating. Even a 10-minute shower seems long to me.

[flyonpa]

My (Georgia) water billed for 3000 Gallons as minimum usage. So there was no incentive to not use 100G a day. I was paying for the water regardless if I used it or not.