Activity 2.2.1 - My Daily Water Use

 Water bill 4 person household water use over 3 months:

    May - 4,778 gallons

    June - 4,933 gallons

    July - 5,007 gallons

    Average = (4,778 + 4,933 + 5,007) / 3 = 4,906 gallons

Water bill average water use per person over 3 months:

    Personal Average (Monthly) = 4,906 / 4 = 1,226.5 gallons

    Personal Average (Daily) = 1,226.5 / 30 = 40.88 gallons

1. Water Use Calculator (https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/water-use-calculator):

    Household (Monthly) - 5,180 gallons

    Personal (Monthly) - 1,316 gallons

    Personal (Daily) - 1,316 / 30 = 43.87 gallons

2. Water Calculator (https://www.watercalculator.org/wfc2/complete/):

    Household (Monthly) - 5,329 gallons

    Personal (Monthly) - 1,332

    Personal (Daily) = 1,332 / 30 = 44.4 gallons

Summary

    My personal water use according to the water use calculators is about 500 gallons less than the average American (GRACE Communications Foundation 2022). My actual personal water use per month according to the water bill is about 100 gallons less than the amount determined by both water use calculators. My actual water use is 2.99 gallons less than the first water use calculator and 3.52 gallons less than the second water use calculator. Both water use calculators gave a similar result with only 16 gallons difference. The household monthly averages were also very similar. There was a 247 gallon difference using the first calculator listed and a 423 gallon difference using the second calculator. I believe the water usage calculators slightly over estimated the amount of water my household uses because it included questions about water use outside the home as well as indirect water use. For example, going to a drive-thru car wash would not appear on my water bill but was included in the second water use calculator. I was also asked to estimate how much time was spent doing certain water consuming tasks, such as showers. Some members of my household take very short showers and some take very long ones, so it was hard to give an approximate average. I am also unsure if these calculators took into account whether or not the faucets are turned off while brushing teeth, washing hands, or washing dishes. My family tries not to run the faucet if it is not necessary. For example, though it may take me 30 seconds to wash my hands, the faucet is not running for the full 30 seconds. Overall, these water use calculators only slightly over estimated my water use.

References

GRACE Communications Foundation. (2022). Water Footprint Calculator. Watercalculator.org. https://www.watercalculator.org/wfc2/complete/