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picklehaub t1_ixnly9m wrote

Have a metered softener on a well, looks like the last 6 months we average 18 gallons per person per day.

I was blown away when I first put it in, figured we were 2 or 3 hundred a day with 4 people in the house.

Low flow shower head (with the ultra low-flow restrictor pulled out) and energy star dishwasher and washing machine. Probably 8 runs of the dishwasher and 6 loads of laundry a week.

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kamikaziboarder t1_ixnrczn wrote

I suggest people to take a look at devices they use on Australia. They seem to be on more of a cutting edge for water conservation devices.

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movdqa OP t1_ixnw838 wrote

We have low-flow toilets, shower, etc. The difference in water use is pretty big.

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ArdernLockett t1_ixpqrzm wrote

The 100 gal/person/day is outdated or includes non-residential water usage (e.g. water used to produce the goods that you use).

With more modern fixtures and appliances, the average residential use is closer to 30-40 gal/person/day. You'd also expect less water usage during the winter where there is no water usage for residential landscaping.

Old toilets used to require 7+ gal/flush, now the standard is 6 liter/flush (1.6 gal). Washing machines are similarly more efficient. Many places still cite old water usage estimates. The US uses less water than it did in the 1970's, despite having 50% more people.

Edit: 1970's not 1907's

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movdqa OP t1_ixqkjqw wrote

Thanks. I looked at about four sites and they generally reported 100 gpd or 300 gph. I remember when we went with Toto toilets many years ago and was struck by how little water they use compared to the originals from the 1970s.

Water scarcity is not the problem here that it is in other parts of the country but I think that it's good to conserve wherever we can.

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tech1010 t1_ixo9s0l wrote

8 runs of the dishwasher per week? Wow

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picklehaub t1_ixobbxm wrote

4 people’s worth of breakfast, 2 kids lunchboxes plus extra pieces and usually 2 packed adult lunches plus dinner dishes during the week. I’m a little militant and won’t buy stuff that can’t go in the dishwasher. Weekends have meal prep and usually bigger meals as well.

Keeping up with thanksgiving today we are on our third load, and will probably fire off the 4th before bed. When the 20 year old dishwasher bit the dust a few years ago we were sure to get one with a third deck for little stuff. If you don’t have kids it’s hard to fathom how many things they can use in a day.

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tech1010 t1_ixoh3qe wrote

Wow almost seems like you should get a 2nd dishwasher to keep it going!!

What brand did you get?

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