According to water.org, the average American uses 100-176 gallons of water per day. On the American Water Works Association website, they claim the number to be 69.3 gallons per day.
It appears that the larger number likely accounts for commercial and agricultural use, where the smaller number represents single-family dwellings.
One thing is certain- the United States is by far the largest consumer of water resources in the world*.
How much water do you use? If you are on municipal water, you receive a bill each month. Cherokee County, Ga (my hometown) charges its residents a rate per 1000 gallons. Divide that number by the number of people in your house, then by the days in that billing cycle and you'll have your per individual daily water use. Even if you're doing well against our National average, you may still find some easy room for improvement!
First- check for and repair all your leaks. It is estimated that up to 25% of all household water use is simply leaks. Do you have a dripping faucet? A leaking toilet? How about a leak outside? Here's how to answer that question:
Just make sure all your water is turned off; then go look at your meter. There should be a small hand or maybe a triangle on the dial. That is your low-flow indicator and if it's moving- you have a problem!
Faucets can usually be repaired by replacing worn bushings in the handles. A leak outside may not be immediately evident, but upon close inspection, you can usually find a greener spot in your lawn or an unusually boggy area in a landscape bed. Start digging there.
If you have any uncertainty about tackling these issues alone- better to hire a pro.
Second- Check out your appliances and fixtures and see how efficiently they use water. Old toilets and shower heads are our biggest water-wasters, and most governments offer rebates on more efficient replacements which will almost, if not entirely, cover the purchase price of these items.
Lastly- Consider changing your habits. Do you pre wash dishes before you put them in your dishwasher? Do you run the water while you brush your teeth and wash your face? Do you wash your car at home instead of taking it to a low-use automatic facility? Simple adjustments in the way you do things can really make a difference in your daily water use.
*Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security proposed that international organizations and water providers adopt a minimum standard to meet four basic needs—for drinking, sanitation, bathing, and cooking. In 1990, Gleick estimated that 55 countries with a total population of nearly 1 billion people did not meet this standard as a national average. More recent studies show this trend has not changed: charitywater.org reports that number has grown by at least 100,000 people worldwide who struggle to find just 5 gallons of fresh water per day.
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