The average American household uses 300 gallons of water per day, with most of it coming from indoor activities such as showers, toilets, and faucets.

Here are some common household activities and their average water consumption:

There are several reasons why your water consumption could be higher than normal. Here are some potential causes:

Leaky Fixtures

• Leaky faucets: A faucet that drips once per second can waste over 3,000 gallons per year.
• Running toilets: A constantly running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons per day.
• Underground leaks: These can be more difficult to detect and might significantly increase your water usage.

Increased Activity

• Guests or more frequent use: If you’ve had guests staying over or are using more water for washing, cleaning, or gardening, this can cause a temporary spike in your water bill.
• Seasonal Use: Watering your lawn or garden during the summer months can increase water consumption significantly.

Appliance Use

• Older appliances: Older dishwashers and washing machines tend to use more water than newer, energy-efficient models.
• Frequent loads: Running the washing machine or dishwasher more frequently than usual can also cause higher consumption.

Here are a few ways to save water and reduce your water bill:

• Install low-flow fixtures: Low-flow showerheads, toilets, and faucets can cut water use significantly.
• Fix leaks immediately: Address any leaks as soon as you notice them to prevent wasted water.
• Use water-efficient appliances: Opt for ENERGY STAR or other water-efficient appliances to minimize water use.
• Limit outdoor watering: Water your lawn or garden in the early morning or late evening to avoid evaporation, and consider using drought-resistant plants.

Water usage tends to fluctuate with the seasons. You might use more water during the summer due to:

• Outdoor watering: For lawns and gardens.
• Filling swimming pools: This can add several thousand gallons.
• Increased laundry: From outdoor activities, sports, and more frequent use of clothing.

During the winter, water usage generally decreases, except for households that use more hot water for showers and heating purposes.

To check for leaks:

• Check your water meter: Note the reading before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the reading has changed, you likely have a leak.
• Dye test for toilets: Place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
• Check faucets and outdoor spigots: Look for drips or wet spots that might indicate a slow leak.

Yes! Reducing your shower time by just 1 minute can save around 2 gallons of water. Using a low-flow showerhead can increase the savings even more, reducing water use to less than 1.5 gallons per minute.

Outdoor water use can contribute significantly to your total water consumption, especially in the warmer months. Activities like:

• Watering lawns or plants
• Washing cars
• Filling pools or water features

These can add hundreds of gallons to your monthly water usage. To conserve, consider using rain barrels, adjusting sprinklers to avoid over-watering, and opting for drought-resistant landscaping.

Yes! Larger families can follow these practices to reduce water use:

• Take shorter showers: Encourage family members to limit showers to 5 minutes or less.
• Run full loads only: Always wash full loads of laundry and dishes.
• Fix leaks quickly: With more people using fixtures, leaks can waste even more water.
• Use a broom instead of a hose: For cleaning driveways or sidewalks, using a broom saves gallons of water.