How much water do we actually use every day? Much research has been done on this subject, and by calculating water usage it is seen that on average, an American household of four uses 400 gallons of water per day of direct indoor water use, not including outdoor water usage which can bump that number up drastically higher. To pinpoint exactly where water is being used the most, extensive research has been done. Below is a list of indoor and outdoor water usages per household item or appliance; it can be used to easily identify the best places in your Washington, D.C plumbing to focus on in order to conserve water usage every day.
Average Indoor Household Water Usage
- Toilets (27%)
- Washing Machines (22%)
- Showers and Baths (19%)
- Sinks (16%)
- Water Wasted (145) – leaky faucets, toilets, and showerheads
Average Outdoor Household Water Usage
- Lawn care accounts for 50% of indoor and outdoor water usage combined
- Swimming pools take 19,000 gallons of water to fill on average, and when left uncovered that water evaporates at a staggering 1,000 gallons per month. Pool covers can keep 30% to 50% of that water from evaporating.
Tips to Conserve Water in Daily Life
There are some simple ways to conserve water in our everyday lives. By implementing some of these fixes, that water bill will begin to shrink, making your pocketbook much happier.
- Fix leaky faucets, taps, showerheads, and sprinklers
- Run the dishwasher only when it is completely filled
- Rather than rinsing dirty dishes, scrape excess food into the trash or compost
- Wash vegetables in a bowl of water while using a vegetable brush, rather than running them under the sink faucet
- Boil food in as little water as possible, just enough to cover the food completely
- Turn off the tap when not directly in use such as while brushing teeth or shaving
- Consider installing low-flow toilets
- Spend less time in the shower, take less baths and keep water levels low when you do bathe
- Only do full loads of laundry
- Don’t overwater plants
- Use a pool cover to keep the pool cleaner and to keep water from evaporating
- Water the lawn during the cool part of the day to ensure minimal evaporation, and ensure sprinklers are set to only water foliage, not the sidewalk
- Switch out water-thirsty lawn for more climate-friendly landscaping or plants which need less watering
By calculating water usage in order to see where the average consumer uses water on a daily basis, it makes it easier to identify suitable areas where water can be conserved. For any plumbing installation, maintenance, or repair in the Washington DC area, give Service Doctors a call today!
