How much water does an average household use?  This can be important to your septic system since excess water can strain the decomposition process and result in a variety of problems.

Here are some averages to keep you on track:

Dishwasher cycle- 7 gallons

Washing Machine- 40 gallons per load (front-loaders use less)

Toilet- 2 gallons per flush, 1.6 gallons for newer standard toilets

Shower- 2.5 gallons per minute (10 minutes- 25 gallons)

It can be difficult to keep track of usage. A water meter can be useful for houses with a well.  Purchasing water-friendly appliances, toilets and shower-heads can also help.

Remember: a septic system is installed based upon the number of people that are anticipated to be using it.  If your base number increases, you might need to upgrade to a larger system.

The average household uses about 300 gallons per day.  This is based on a 4-person household.  Each person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day.

There are many ways to conserve water saving yourself money and being more eco-friendly.

Dripping faucets are another potential waste of water.  Even small leaks can waste a lot of water.  Hot water leaks are a waste of water and energy.

Leaks inside the toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.

The solution is to fix the leak and save yourself money and water.

In the bathroom, take showers instead of tubs.  Turn the water off when you’re brushing your teeth.

In the kitchen and laundry, wait for a full load before running the dishwasher and washing machine.  Pre-rinsing your dishes before you put them in the dishwasher wastes water.

The more water you can conserve, the less water running into your septic system and the healthier it will be.

All Clear Septic and Wastewater Services can answer all your septic questions and help you keep your system running efficiently.  Call 508-763-4431 or visit www.allclearseptic.com.

This blog was posted on www.allclearseptic.com on August 5, 2015.