Did you know that the average Southern California family uses approximately 500 gallons of water everyday? With that in mind, conserving Southern California's limited water resources is a significant undertaking that many residents know very little about. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is taking an active role in helping to educate Los Angeles County residents about the importance of conserving our precious water supply.
Water is one of our greatest natural resources. It meets our daily needs for drinking, cooking, cleaning, bathing, and recreation. Water in California, however, is limited. By conserving water whenever you can, Los Angeles County residents can make a huge difference in protecting this resource for future generations to come.
With watering the yard, filling the swimming pool or hot tub; outdoor water needs consume about 30% of the water used in a typical single-family home. Xeriscape - Landscaping with plants that use less water can reduce outdoor water use by as much as 50%.
Indoor Residential water use accounts for about 70% of water used in a typical single-family home. Big savings can be made indoors, the biggest household water user is the bathroom which accounts for 64% of indoor water use. Installation of water efficient fixtures and appliances can reduce usage by as much as 35%.
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Toilet
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Shower
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| Regular: |
Ultra-Low-Flush Toilet: |
Regular: |
Low-Flow Showerhead: |
| 5-7 gallons |
1.6 gallons |
8 gallons/minute |
2.5 gallons/minute |
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Bath
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Shaving
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| Full: |
1/2 Full: |
Open Tap: |
Full Basin: |
| 20 gallons |
10 gallons |
5-10 gallons |
1 gallon |
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Brushing Teeth
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Washing Hands
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| Open Tap: |
Brush and Rinse: |
Open Tap: |
Full Basin: |
| 2-3 gallons |
1/4-1/2 gallons |
1-2 gallons |
1 gallon |
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Washing Produce
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Auto Dishwasher
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| Open Tap: |
Full Sink: |
Standard Cycle: |
Short Cycle: |
| 5-10 gallons |
1-2 gallons |
10-15 gallons |
8-13 gallons |
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Manual Dishwashing
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Lawn
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| Open Tap: |
Full Basin Wash/Rinse: |
Everyday: |
| 30 gallons |
5 gallons |
67-140 gallons |
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Pool (20ft. x 40ft.)
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Car Washing
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| Uncovered: |
Covered: |
Open Tap: |
Shut-Off Nozzle: |
| 900-3000 gal/mo. |
300-1000 gal/mo. |
100-200 gallons |
50 gallons |
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For more information regarding water conservation in your home, go to http://www.h2ouse.org which was developed by the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC). Los Angeles County Waterworks is a member of the CUWCC.
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