Water Usage
An average household uses about 160 cubic metres (35,000 gall) of water per year. In the table below, we've put together a table of the average consumption figures for the main water-using appliances. To get your annual water usage in cubic metres, add up how many uses you make of each one per week, multiply the total weekly usage by 52 and divide by 1,000 (as there are 1,000 litres in a cubic metre).
| Activity | Amount of Water Used |
|---|---|
| Bathing | 80-90 litres per bath |
| Hosepipe (garden) | 9 litres per minute |
| Dishwasher | 35 litres per load |
| Showering | 30 litres per shower |
| Washing, drinking and cooking | 30 litres per person per day |
| Washing Machine | 80 litres per load |
| WC use | 9 litres per flush 6 litres for WCs fitted from 2001 |
To find out whether you would save money by having a water meter, contact your water company and ask for details of their standing charges and costs per cubic metre of water used. Work out how much your annual water usage would cost on a meter and compare it with current bills.
Most water companies will install a meter free of charge. Bear in mind that your water consumption may rise if your circumstances change - for instance, if you have children.
