In other areas, water is a scarce commodity and costs have increased. However, there is not more water available now than when the earth was formed. The American Water Works Association estimates residential household water use at 60 gallons per person per day. The water equipment we use in and around the home and how we manage that equipment determines our water use. The largest water users are the shower and toilets, accounting for about two-thirds of the water used in an average household.
Toilets use up to half of the household water supply.
However, with the number of water and energy saving devices on the market, the consumer needs to gather information before making decisions about the features and claims. The 1992 Energy Policy and Conservation Act sets limits on water and energy consumed by appliances and fixtures. Newer shower heads may use about 2 to 3 gpm. The shower heads designed to use less water differ in spray patterns, mounting and functions. Some low-flow shower heads offer selections for spray patterns.