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Residential Water Consumption Calculator

Graph

Instructions

  1. Answer all questions with a number
  2. Click the 'Calculate' button
  3. Your estimated water consumption appears on the right
  4. Your estimated savings for the Voluntary Metering Program appear at the bottom

 

    
   
   
Answers
 Estimated Water Consumption (gal)
 Indoor Water Use
per
week 		per month
  How many people live in your household? (average miscellaneous use)
  How many showers total are taken per week in your household?  
  What is the average length of each shower? (in minutes)
If you are not sure, use 8 minutes		  
  What is the flow rate of your showerhead? (gallons per minute)
Enter 5 for standard, 2.5 for low flow
  How many baths are taken each week in your household?
  How many flushes total per week in your household?  
  How many gallons does your toilet use per flush?
Enter 5 for standard toilet, 1.6 for low flow
Homes constructed after 1996 have 1.6gpf toilets
  How many times are dishes washed by hand each week in your household?  
  How long does the water run each time? (minutes)
  How many times is the dishwashing machine run each week?
  How many loads of laundry are done in your household each week?    
  The average washing machine uses 41 gallons per load, if you have a water-efficient machine, enter the gallons used by your machine
         
 
Outdoor Water Use
(Summer Months: May - September)
     
  How many times is your lawn watered each week in the summer?    
  How long is the lawn watered for? (minutes)
  How much time is spent each week on miscellaneous watering such as washing cars, pets, watering garden? (minutes)
 

Estimated Water Use

Gallons
Per Day 		Gallons
Per Week 		Gallons
Per Month 		CCF (100 cubic feet)
Per Month
Total indoor use
Total outdoor use

Notes: Calculations are estimates and are not an exact representation of your household consumption. The following variables impact household water consumption differently:
  • Number of people living in residence
  • Age of residents
  • Fixture/appliance makes, models, and manufacturers
  • Seasonal rainfall/temperature for outdoor water use
  • Known or unknown leaks in household

Estimated Savings for Voluntary Metering Program

Bi-monthly water use
(CCF)1
  x
Metered volume average rate
(per CCF) 2
  +		    
Metered Bi-monthly
base rate 3
  =
Metered estimated
bi-monthly bill 4 		Unmetered estimated
bi-monthly bill 4
Estimated bi-monthly savings Order a free meter  

1. Bi-monthly water use is calculated by taking the total number of gallons used in a two month period and converting it to 100 cubic foot (CCF) units.

2. Single family residences located in city limits are charged a volume rate of $1.53 per unit of water used up to 22 units.  Each unit over 22 consumed is charged $1.80 per unit which includes a $.27 per unit Lake Whatcom Watershed fee.

3. Typical single-family residences have a 5/8" meter.  Calculations are based on this meter size's bi-monthly base rate of $23.22.

4. Estimated bi-monthly bills include Lake Whatcom Watershed fees.

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