Taking a shower is an everyday activity for most people. But have you ever wondered just how much water goes down the drain in that quick 10 minute rinse? The amount of water used can really add up over time, so it’s good to be aware of your daily water usage.
Quick Answer
On average, a 10 minute shower uses 50-60 gallons of water. The exact amount can vary based on your personal showerhead flow rate and water pressure.
Estimating Your Shower Water Usage
Figuring out your specific shower water usage requires just a few quick calculations. Here are the main factors that determine water usage:
- Flow rate of your showerhead (gallons per minute)
- Water pressure
- Duration of your shower (minutes)
Most showerheads have a flow rate between 1.5 and 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm). Newer, high-efficiency showerheads aim for 2 gpm or less. If you don’t know your showerhead’s flow rate, you can do a simple test to estimate it.
Turn on your shower to a normal pressure and temperature. Place a bucket under the stream and time how many seconds it takes to fill 1 gallon. Divide 3,600 by the seconds and that gives you the flow rate in gallons per minute. For example, if it takes 30 seconds to fill 1 gallon, the calculation would be:
3,600 seconds (in 1 hour) / 30 seconds (to fill 1 gallon) = 120 gallons per minute
Once you know your flow rate, multiply it by the number of minutes you shower for. That will tell you how many gallons are used per shower. For example:
2.5 gpm (flow rate) x 10 minutes (shower length) = 25 gallons used
In this example, a 10 minute shower with a standard 2.5 gpm showerhead uses 25 gallons. For a lower flow 1.5 gpm showerhead, the calculation would be:
1.5 gpm (flow rate) x 10 minutes (shower length) = 15 gallons used
Factors That Impact Shower Water Usage
While the main factors are flow rate and duration, a few other things can influence how much water gets used during your shower.
Water Pressure
Higher water pressure pushes more water through the showerhead over a given time period. So all else being equal, high pressure can increase water usage.
Showerhead Design
Not all showerheads have the same flow rate, even if they are rated similarly. Factors like spray pattern and water pressure optimization can affect real-world usage.
Leaking Faucets
Any drips or leaks from the showerhead or faucet will add to your overall water usage without increasing your shower time.
Showering Habits
Your specific habits make a difference too. Lingering longer under the warm spray will use more water than a quick efficient shower. Adjusting the temperature and flow rate throughout the shower can also impact the numbers.
Average Shower Water Usage
Based on common shower lengths and hardware, the typical shower water usage is:
- Older showerhead (3 gpm): 15-30 gallons
- Standard showerhead (2.5 gpm): 12-25 gallons
- Low-flow showerhead (2 gpm): 10-20 gallons
- High-efficiency showerhead (1.5 gpm): 7.5-15 gallons
Modern building codes now require new showerheads to be 2 gpm or lower. So as older, higher flow models continue to be replaced, the average home’s shower water usage keeps decreasing.
Shower Water Usage Per Household
When you add up all the showers taken in a home, the water usage really starts to add up. Here are some eye-opening numbers:
- Standard household shower (2.5 gpm): 25 gallons per 10 minute shower x 30 showers per month = 750 gallons/month just for showering
- Family of four taking daily 10 minute showers: 30 days x 4 people x 25 gallons = 3,000 gallons/month for showering
Over the course of a year, these household shower water usage numbers increase dramatically:
- Standard shower per person: 750 gallons/month x 12 months = 9,000 gallons/year
- Family of four with standard showers: 3,000 gallons/month x 12 = 36,000 gallons/year
Switching to efficient showerheads can shrink these usage rates and save thousands of gallons per year. Likewise, shorter showers make a big difference over time.
Water and Energy Savings from Reduced Shower Times
In addition to using less water, spending less time in the shower can also:
- Save on home energy costs by reducing hot water usage
- Lower your water heating bills if you have a gas or electric water heater
- Reduce wastewater costs in areas where sewer charges are based on metered water consumption
Here is an estimate of the potential savings from reducing a daily 10 minute shower to just 5 minutes, assuming a standard 2.5 gpm showerhead:
| Shower Time | Gallons Per Shower | Gallons Per Month (30 showers) | Gallons Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 25 | 750 | 9,000 |
| 5 minutes | 12.5 | 375 | 4,500 |
By moving from a 10 minute shower to just 5 minutes, you can save:
- 12.5 gallons per shower
- 375 gallons per month
- 4,500 gallons per year
This simple change adds up to thousands of gallons of water savings over a year, plus lower energy bills. And you still get all the cleanliness and relaxation benefits of a shower in half the time!
Ways to Reduce Your Shower Water Usage
Here are some tips to use less water and save money when showering:
1. Install a High-Efficiency Showerhead
Replacing an older 3 gpm showerhead with a 1.5 gpm model is one of the most effective ways to cut water usage. Be sure to look for a WaterSense labeled model for maximum efficiency.
2. Take Shorter Showers
Try setting a timer or alarm to keep your shower length to 5 minutes or less. Taking a Navy shower (wet down, turn off water to lather up, quick rinse) also minimizes water usage.
3. Fix Leaks
A leaking showerhead can waste hundreds of gallons per month. Replace worn washers, tighten fittings, and maintain your plumbing to avoid leaks.
4. Install a Low-Flow Faucet Aerator
An aerator on your showerhead or sink faucet introduces air bubbles to maintain flow while using less water.
5. Use Water-Saving Shower Controls
Special valves allow you to pause the water flow while lathering up to conserve water.
6. Take Baths
Bathing uses less water than the average shower if you share the bathwater. Just be mindful of the fill level.
7. Insulate Water Heater and Pipes
Preventing heat loss allows less energy to be used reheating water for your next shower.
Water Saving Shower Technologies
In addition to efficient showerheads and user behavior changes, some new technologies can help optimize water usage and energy savings:
Recirculating Hot Water Systems
These systems pump hot water from a central heater to fixtures through a recirculation loop. This provides instant hot water while conserving water that would otherwise go down the drain waiting for temperatures to rise.
Thermostatic Valves
These advanced shower valves allow users to preset a desired water temperature. When activated, the valve mixes hot and cold water to precisely meet the temperature setting.
Water Reuse and Recycling
Greywater recycling systems capture water from showers, sinks, etc. to reuse for flushing toilets, irrigation, and other purposes.
Smart Shower Meters and Monitors
Digital devices can track your shower water usage, flow rate, time, temperature, and more to encourage conservation.
On-Demand Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters provide hot water only as needed, without using energy to maintain temperatures in a storage tank.
Shower Water Usage Outside the Home
Residential water use accounts for the majority of shower-related water consumption. But other sectors also contribute significantly to the totals:
Gyms
Public gyms and fitness centers use extensive amounts of water for member showers. Typical usage can exceed 500 gallons per day.
Hotels
Hotel showers for overnight guests add up to major water usage, especially in locations with hundreds of rooms. Many hotels are now implementing water conservation programs to reduce waste.
Campgrounds/RV Parks
Campground showers for recreational vehicle travelers and campers can use over 50 gallons of water per 10 minute shower.
Swimming Pools
Pool showering makes up over 25% of the water usage for a typical public swimming pool facility.
Locker Rooms
Group showers in locker room facilities for schools, gyms, camps, sports centers, etc. result in high water usage as large numbers of people rinse off.
Environmental Impacts of Shower Water Usage
In addition to increasing water bills and energy costs, the large amounts of water used for showering also take a toll on the environment:
- Places greater demand on limited freshwater supplies, which are especially stressed in arid regions
- Requires significantly more energy to pump, heat, and treat shower water before and after use
- Produces more wastewater that must be collected, treated, and disposed of
- Increases greenhouse gas emissions from water heating and supply infrastructure
By reducing shower durations and installing efficient fixtures, individuals can help alleviate some of these impacts and preserve water resources for the future.
Conclusion
A typical 10 minute shower with a standard showerhead uses around 25 gallons of water. Households can use hundreds or even thousands of gallons monthly just for showering. But simple actions like shorter showers, water-efficient fixtures, and leak repairs can significantly reduce your home’s hot water usage and related costs. Being mindful of your daily shower water consumption is an easy way to conserve resources and incorporate sustainability into your personal habits.
