Every drop saved at home leaves more water in rivers, aquifers, and reservoirs for people and ecosystems. The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water a day at home, and small changes add up quickly. Here is a practical, room-by-room guide.
10,000
gallons a year lost to leaks in the average U.S. home
~30%
of indoor water use goes to flushing toilets
3,000+
gallons a year from a faucet dripping once per second
Up to 50%
of outdoor watering is lost to wind, evaporation, and runoff
Source: U.S. EPA WaterSense program.
Start Here: Find and Fix Leaks
- Check your meter. Read it, avoid using water for two hours, then read it again. If it moved, you have a leak.
- Test your toilet. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If color shows up in the bowl within 10 minutes without flushing, replace the flapper.
- Fix dripping faucets and showerheads. Usually a worn washer or O-ring, a low-cost repair.
- Inspect outdoor spigots, hoses, and irrigation lines each spring for drips and broken heads.
In the Bathroom
- Replace older toilets (3.5 to 7 gallons per flush) with WaterSense models that use 1.28 gallons or less.
- Install a WaterSense showerhead (2.0 gallons per minute or less) and keep showers to five minutes.
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving; a standard faucet runs about 2 gallons a minute.
- Add a faucet aerator rated 1.5 gallons per minute or less.
- Never use the toilet as a wastebasket.
In the Kitchen and Laundry
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads.
- Scrape plates instead of pre-rinsing; modern dishwashers are designed for it.
- Choose ENERGY STAR washers and dishwashers, which use far less water.
- Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it’s cold.
- Thaw food in the refrigerator, not under running water.
- Reuse cooking and rinse water for houseplants.
In the Yard and Garden
- Water early in the morning or evening, when less is lost to evaporation.
- Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water right to the roots.
- Install a WaterSense smart irrigation controller that adjusts to the weather.
- Plant native and drought-tolerant plants and group them by water needs (xeriscaping).
- Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch to hold moisture in the soil.
- Set the mower higher; taller grass shades roots and holds water.
- Sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing them down.
- Cover pools and spas to cut evaporation.
- Collect rainwater in barrels for garden use.
Capture and Reuse Water
Rainwater Harvesting
One inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot roof produces about 620 gallons of water. A simple rain barrel under a downspout can supply much of a garden’s summer needs. Larger cistern systems with filtration can supply household uses. Check local rules first.
Greywater Reuse
Lightly used water from washing machines, showers, and bathroom sinks can irrigate landscapes. A “laundry-to-landscape” system is one of the simplest starting points. Many states and cities have specific codes, so check before installing.
At Work, School, and in Your Community
- Report leaks, broken sprinklers, and running water in public spaces.
- Start a water audit at your school, office, or place of worship.
- Support local watershed cleanups and river restoration projects.
- Advocate for water-efficient building codes and fair water pricing.
- Join or start a Rotary, service club, or community project that funds clean water abroad.
Your Hidden Water Footprint
Most of the water we use is “virtual” water, used to grow our food and make our products. Choices at the store matter too:
- Waste less food; every wasted meal wastes the water used to grow it.
- Eat more plant-based meals, which generally take less water to produce than meat.
- Buy durable clothing and keep it longer; textiles are very water-intensive.
- Recycle paper, plastics, and electronics, and choose products with recycled content.
- Save energy; power plants use large amounts of water for cooling.