conserving water

Conserving WaterHome Water Use Audit

Household UseMore than 70% of indoor use occurs in the

bathroom, and more than 20% occurs in the kitchen and laundry room

Average UseShower 25-50 gallons (5-10 gal/min.)Tub/Bath 36 gallons fullToilet Flush 5-7 gallons (regular)Brushing Teeth 5 gallons (running water) Hand Washing 3 gallons (running water)Shaving 3-5 gallons (running water)Washing Machine 55 gallons/useDishwashing 20 gallons (by hand) and

15 gallons- dishwasher

Conservation IdeasShower- (turn off water when soaping up)Tub/Bath- don’t fill upToilet Flush- buy a low-flow toiletBrushing teeth- don’t let water run! Hand washing- in a bowl or basinDishwasher/Laundry- only use when full

Low-Flow Toilet- Saves 5-10 gallons per day

Low-Flow Faucet-Saves 86 gallons per day

Turn off your faucetWhen brushing your teeth or shaving- turning off

the faucet can save 4-10 gallons per day!

Fix a leaky faucet (small drips can waste as much as 7 gallons of water per day!)

Turn off shower when soaping up- can save up to 10-15 gallons of water

Outdoor Water UseDon’t water lawn for more than 30 minutesWater in cooler hours- before 9am or 6pmRake or sweep hardscapes- don’t hose them offLandscape your yard using drought/salt tolerant

plants- native to San Diego

Wasting Water

Native Landscapes

Average UseThe average Californian uses 150-175 gallons of

water per day!

The average adult needs only 2.5 quarts of water a day to maintain health

With a few simple steps, a typical family can save 50,000 to 100,000 gallons of water each year!

Home Water AuditPurpose: Conduct a home water audit- how

much water do you and your family/homemates use?

Do you have any simple ways to conserve water?

How can this information be used to help with water issues in the West?