WATER CONSERVATION

Calculate Water Ways....

Understanding where and how much water we use is the first step in beginning to conserve one of our most precious resources. This simple home water checkup will allow you to understand indoor household consumption. After calculating your water patterns, you can begin to conserve in ways that work best for your lifestyle.

1. Showers. Multiply the number of showers taken each day by members of your household be the average number of minutes spent in the shower; then multiply the result by 4 gallons per minute to determine the water used for household showers each day.

(# showers) x (# of min.) x 4 gal/min = gal/day for showers

2. Baths. Multiply the number of baths taken each day by 40 gal to determine daily water used for baths.

(# baths) x 40 gal = gal/day for baths

3. Toilets. Multiply the number of people in your household by four flushes; then multiply the result times 5 gal per flush to determine the amount of water used daily in your household toilets.

(# people) x 4 flushes/day x 5 gal/flush = gal/day for flushing

4. Faucets. Total the number of times household members use faucets to shave, brush teeth, and wash hands and faces. Multiply that number by the average minutes used; then multiply the result times 3 gal per min for the number of gallons used daily through faucets.

(# of uses) x (# of min) x 3 gal/min = gal/day through faucets

5. Laundry. Multiply the number of loads of laundry washed each week times 55 gal to determine gallons used per week. Divide the total by seven to determine daily consumption.

(# loads/week) x 55 gal / 7 = gal/day for laundry

6. Dishwasher. Multiply the number of times the dishwasher is used each week times 15 gal per load for the amount of water used weekly by the dishwasher. Divide that amount by seven for daily consumption.

(# loads/week) x 15 gal / 7 = gal/day for dishwasher

7. Hand Washing Dishes. Multiply the number of times dishes are washed by hand each day times 3 gal per min; then multiply the result by the average number of min the water runs to determine daily water used for hand washing dishes.

(# of loads/day) x (# min) x 3 gal/min = gal/day for hand washing dishes

Total the gallons used during each of these activities for your estimated daily indoor consumption.
 
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