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Where Your Water Goes

05/31/17

Do you know how much water you're using? The following chart shows how much water the average Denver Water household uses for each activity. And don't forget, leaks and leaky fixtures, such as toilets and faucets, will consume even more water.

Bathroom

Activity	Number of Times*	Circumstances		Water Used*	Total Use (gallons)*
Toilet	Five	Pre-1996 toilet	3.5 - 5 gallons per flush		17.5 - 25
		Low-flow toilet	1.6 gallons per flush		8
		High-efficiency toilet	1.28 gallons per flush		6.4
		Ultra high-efficiency toilet	0.8 gallons per flush		4
Shower	One (8 minutes long)	Pre-1993 showerhead		3 - 8 gallons per minute	24 - 64
		Standard showerhead		2.5 gallons per minute	20
		High-efficiency showerhead		2 gallons per minute	16
		Ultra high-efficiency showerhead		1.5 gallons per minute	12 or less
Bath	Once	Tub 1/4 to 1/3 full		7.5 - 15 gallons	7.5 - 15
Bath	Once	Full tub		30 - 45 gallons	30 - 45
Shaving	Once	1 full basin		1 gallon	1
Shaving	Once	Running water, five minutes		2.2 gallons per minute	11
Brushing teeth	Twice	Brush and rinse		0.25 - 0.5 gallon	0.5 - 1
Brushing teeth	Twice	Running water, two minutes		2.2 gallons per minute	4.4
Hand washing	Seven (15 seconds)	Standard aerator		2.2 gallons per minute	7.7
Hand washing	Seven (15 seconds)	Low-flow aerator		0.5 gallons per minute	0.875
* Per person per day

Kitchen

Activity	Number of Times*	Circumstances	Water Used*	Total Use (gallons)*
Cooking	Washing produce	One full kitchen basin	1 – 2 gallons	1 – 2
Cooking	Washing produce	Running water, three minutes	2.2 gallons per minute	6.6
Dishwasher	Once – full load	Water-conserving model	4.5 – 7 gallons	4.5 – 7
Dishwasher	Once – full load	Standard cycle	10 – 14 gallons	10 – 14
Dishwashing by hand	Once	Full basin/wash and rinse	2 – 4 gallons	2 – 4
Dishwashing by hand	Once	Running water, five minutes	2.2 gallons per minute	11
* Per day

Miscellaneous

Activity	Number of Times	Circumstances	Water Used	Total Use (gallons)
Laundry	Once	Front-load washer	13 – 20 gallons/load	13 – 20
Laundry	Once	Conventional top-loader	35 – 50 gallons/load	35 – 50
Car washing	Once	Five full two-gallon buckets	10 gallons/wash	10
Car washing	Once	Hose for 5 minutes	5/8-inch hose	32
Lawn watering	During hot dry spells, Kentucky bluegrass needs ¾ of an inch of water twice a week, turf-type tall fescue needs ½ to ¾ of an inch of water twice a week, and buffalo grass needs ½ to ¾ of an inch every other week.