This presentation will focus on a study funded by
the Water Research Foundation evaluating water
use from over 23 utilities and over 1,000 homes.
The average household hot water accounted for
33.2% of total indoor water use. Residential
indoor water use in single-family homes has
decreased. The average per household daily water
use has decreased 22 percent, from 177 gphd in
1999 to 138 gphd in 2016. Per capita average
water use has decreased 15 percent, from 69.3
gpcd to 58.6 gpcd. In 1999, a household averaged
2.77 people and in 2016, a household averaged
2.65 people so overall the number of people per
home has remained the same. The primary
sources for the reduction will be discussed along
with implications with increased concentrations.
Toilet flushing is the largest indoor use of water in
single-family homes, followed by faucets,
showers, clothes washers, leaks, bathtubs,
other/miscellaneous, and dishwashers.
Mandated reductions in toilet flush and clothes
washer volumes and shower and faucet flow rates
have contributed to the declines in residential
water use. When water usage decreases the
concentrations of contaminants included organic
material and nitrogen increases. Septic system
design and operation considerations will be
highlighted.
