What is the average water consumption for a 2 person household?

Water is one of our most precious resources. The average American uses around 80-100 gallons of water per day. However, water usage can vary significantly depending on household size, geography, behavior, and other factors. For a 2 person household, estimating average daily water usage can help create awareness around conservation and more mindful use of this limited resource.

What is considered average water usage?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the average American uses around 82 gallons of water per day. This includes indoor water use from sinks, showers, toilets, appliances, etc. as well as outdoor water use for irrigation, washing cars, pools, etc.

The breakdown of average daily indoor and outdoor water use is:

  • Indoor use – Around 47.5 gallons per person per day
  • Outdoor use – Around 34.5 gallons per person per day

For a household of 2 people, this would equate to:

  • 95 gallons per day indoor use (47.5 x 2)
  • 69 gallons per day outdoor use (34.5 x 2)

So the estimated total average daily water usage for a 2 person household is around 164 gallons (95 + 69).

Of course, actual usage depends on individual behaviors. Some conservation tips can help reduce water waste.

Factors that influence household water consumption

While the national average provides a baseline, actual water use depends on several factors:

Household size

Larger households with more residents will naturally use more water. Daily per capita use may be lower in larger families, but total consumption is higher.

Geography and climate

Hot and dry climates require more outdoor irrigation which increases consumption. Cooler climates use less water outdoors. Region also plays a role, with western states generally using more water.

Outdoor space

Larger yards, gardens, and outdoor amenities like pools can significantly increase water use, especially for irrigation. Home size also contributes, with larger homes using more water.

Age of fixtures and appliances

Older, inefficient plumbing fixtures like showerheads and toilets can use much more water than newer WaterSense labeled models. Upgrading to high-efficiency appliances helps lower use.

Water source

Homes on private wells often use more water since they aren’t metered and billed for exact usage like public water supply. Private systems may be less efficient too.

Water usage behaviors

Habits like long showers, frequent laundering, car washing, letting taps run, and overwatering landscapes drive up water use. Conservation behaviors help curb excess use.

Water efficiency of home

Some homes are designed with water conservation in mind, like low-flow fixtures, drought-tolerant landscaping, and graywater systems. These features reduce consumption.

Water rates and billing

Higher water rates motivate conservation, while flat rate billing removes the incentive to save water. Metering and billing actual use helps reduce waste.

Number of bathrooms

More bathrooms typically equates to higher water use, with additional faucets, showers, and toilets. Fewer bathrooms consolidate water use.

Indoor water use in a 2 person household

In a 2 occupant residence, typical daily indoor water use breaks down approximately as follows:

Toilets – 18 gallons

Toilets account for nearly 20% of indoor water consumption. Each flush uses about 1.6 gallons with modern toilets. With around 5 flushes per person daily, that’s 16 gallons per person or 32 gallons for 2 people.

Showers – 35 gallons

The average shower is 8 minutes long and uses 2.5 gallons per minute with a standard showerhead. With 2 people showering, that’s 35 gallons total.

Faucets – 15 gallons

Faucet use from handwashing dishes, brushing teeth, etc. adds up. Newer bathroom faucets use about 1.5 gpm. Kitchen faucets around 2.0 gpm. Estimated daily use per person is 7-8 gallons.

Clothes washing – 15 gallons

Energy efficient washers use about 15-30 gallons per load. Assuming 1 load daily for 2 people equals 15 gallons.

Leaks – 2 gallons

Small household leaks can waste 2+ gallons each day. Dripping faucets and toilets should be repaired promptly.

Other domestic use – 5 gallons

Dishwashers, cooking, cleaning, pets, hygiene, etc. amounts to around 5 gallons daily for a 2 person household.

Adding up the estimated indoor uses equals approximately 95 gallons per day:

Use Gallons
Toilets 32
Showers 35
Faucets 15
Clothes washing 15
Leaks 2
Other 5
Total 95

This aligns with the EPA national average of 47.5 gallons per person indoor use.

Outdoor water use in a 2 person household

For outdoor water use, a 2 person household may consume around 69 gallons per day on average:

Lawn and garden irrigation – 50 gallons

The typical suburban lawn requires about 623 gallons per square foot annually. With a modest 5,000 sq ft lawn, that equates to around 50 gallons per day for irrigation in the summer.

Pools – 10 gallons

The average 20,000 gallon residential pool loses about 1,000 gallons per month to evaporation in warm weather. That’s 33 gallons per day, or around 10 gallons per person for a 2 occupant home.

Car washing – 2 gallons

Washing a car at home with a running hose uses about 40-80 gallons. Spread over weekly car washes for 2 people, an average of 2 gallons per day is estimated.

Other outdoor uses – 7 gallons

Miscellaneous outdoor uses like washing patios or siding, play water, pets, gardens, etc. amounts to around 5-10 gallons daily.

The estimated breakdown of 69 gallons daily outdoor use is:

Use Gallons
Irrigation 50
Pools 10
Car washing 2
Other 7
Total 69

This matches the EPA’s national average of 34.5 gallons per person for outdoor water use.

Total estimated daily water use

Adding up the 95 gallons of indoor use and 69 gallons of outdoor use results in a total estimated average daily water consumption of:

**164 gallons**

For a 2 person household, this aligns very closely with the EPA’s national averages of:

– Indoor use – 95 gallons
– Outdoor use – 69 gallons
– Total use – 164 gallons

Of course, actual usage varies based on specific circumstances. But this provides a reasonable baseline to understand typical water consumption for a 2 resident home in the U.S.

Monitoring your own usage with utility bills and water meters can help identify leaks and areas for conservation. Even small efforts like fixing drips, installing aerators, choosing drought-tolerant plants, and watering lawns less can incrementally reduce water waste.

Regional differences in household water use

While the national average is 164 gallons per day, regional differences in climate and geography significantly impact water consumption:

Northeast

Average regional use is around 60-80 gallons per person per day. The cooler climate requires less outdoor irrigation.

South

Use averages 80-100 gallons per person daily. The hot humid climate demands more outdoor watering.

Midwest

Estimated average use is about 75-90 gallons per person each day. Parts of the Midwest are wetter, requiring less irrigation.

West

Arid states in the West have some of the highest usage at around 100-120 gallons per person daily due to irrigation needs.

Pacific Northwest

Abundant precipitation reduces outdoor use to an average of 60-80 gallons per person each day.

California specifically averages around 132 gallons per person per day due to its hot, dry climate coupled with large agricultural production. Conservation efforts have started to reduce usage.

How to reduce water use

While the averages provide context, there are many ways to incrementally decrease water use through conservation:

Indoors

– Install low-flow aerators on faucets and showerheads
– Replace old toilets with high efficiency models
– Fix drips and leaks promptly
– Run full loads in dishwasher and washing machine
– Choose water-efficient models for appliances
– Turn off water when brushing teeth or shaving
– Take shorter showers

Outdoors

– Use drip irrigation for gardens and trees
– Water lawn and plants early morning or evening to reduce evaporation
– Install rain barrel to collect water for irrigation
– Choose native plants and grasses that require less water
– Allow lawn to go dormant in summer
– Wash cars, patio, etc. less frequently
– Check for pool leaks and use cover to reduce evaporation

Whole home

– Install smart irrigation controller to customize watering
– Use greywater system to reuse water from sinks, showers, etc.
– Consider installing high efficiency toilets and fixtures when remodeling
– Check for hidden leaks in pipes and valves
– Monitor water bill and meter to identify spike in use

With climate change and drought increasing in many regions, reducing water use helps conserve this precious shared resource. Small individual actions add up to significant savings over time.

Conclusion

The average daily water use for a 2 person American household is estimated to be around 164 gallons. This includes approximately 95 gallons per day of indoor use and 69 gallons per day for outdoor needs. Actual consumption varies based on geography, climate, home features, and conservation behaviors. Reducing waste through upgrades like efficient fixtures and appliances combined with responsible watering and leak detection helps shrink household water footprints over time. With many states frequently facing water scarcity issues, being mindful of daily water use is an important way individuals can protect this critical limited resource.

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