WATER USE CHART

Use Category
Water used*

Water dollars required
**

Potential savings (in liters)
Water-saving suggestions
**
Amount
in
liters
Amount in liters
Assumption
Drinking
3
Daily requirement
3
-
 
Toilet device
20
Per flush
20
5
Tank displacement
Brushing teeth
40
Leave water on for 2 minutes 
40
35
Turn off water while brushing
Washing hands
20
Leave water on for 1 minute
20
15
Turn off water while soaping hands
Shower
100
5-minute shower
100
40
Take a 3-minute shower
Washing clothes
120
1 load
120
20
Washing full loads could save as much as 17%
Washing dishes
100
1 load, automatic dishwasher
100
17
Washing full loads could save as much as 17%
Washing car
100
5 minutes to complete
100
60
Turn off water when not washing
Lawn Watering
250
Apply 2.5 centimeters to 10 square meters
250
150
Use native plants or plants that thrive on little water. Save as much as 60%

* Chart is based on the flow of water from a faucet, shower head, or hose of 20 liters per minute.

** Students give 1 water dollar for each trip to the drinking fountain. Five water dollars are required for 5 liters of water used, 20 water dollars are required for 20 liters of water used, etc. Saving 5 liters of water saves five water dollars, saving 35 liters saves 35 water dollars, etc. Savings are given back to the students as refunds.

*** Source: Denver Water Department, Colorado River Water Conservation District.

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