How much water do you use?

[Alex Franke]

Most of this state in an "exceptional drought" condition, which is the most extreme classification (not moderate, severe, or even extreme, but exceptional). And even though some of our universities have still been still watering their synthetic turfs, most of us can no longer wash cars, pressure wash things, fill fountains, or water our lawns (press release). Additionally, surcharges are going into place for above average water use, which brings me to the point of this poll.

The water company says that average water use is 5,500 gallons per month. We're a family of four and use on average about 3,250 gallons a month (plus I still have to fix a leaky toilet!), so 5,500 gallons took me a bit by surprise.

How much water do you all use per month on average?

[radhak]

There should be 'have no idea' option, because i really have no idea. How do i find out?

[Sam Conder]

There should be 'have no idea' option, because i really have no idea. How do i find out?

It's on your water bill.

[Black wallnut]

Hey the "no idea" option would help me. I have my own well. I'm thinking it would be cheaper to buy an hour meter for my pump rather than a flow meter if I really cared to find out. I also have irrigation water for the lawn and flowers. With three kids, elec dishwasher, and a firm belief that toliets were made to be flushed after each and every use we probabaly use about average.

[Ed62]

We also have a well, and we also can't make an accurate guess as to how much we use. But I'd say we probably use less than a family of four because there are only two of us now.

Ed

[mschrank]

Well, before I fixed a leak in our main incoming line last month, we were being charged for 56,000 gallons a month. Haven't got our latest bill for a full leak free month, so I'm curious to see.

The LOML insists on 2 long showers a day, so I'm sure we're still above average.

While it doesn't excuse the excessive showering, we don't have to worry much about water here...except when there's too much of it.

[crokett]

I have no idea. Minium when I was on city water was 3500 gallons and my wife and the only time we exceeded that was one summer we were gone for two weeks and somebody stole our water.

Now we are on a well. But I'd guess we are about average or a little below.

[TB Roye]

I have no Idea as we are not on water meters here. We will be in the next 25 years as a legislator from SO Cal passed a law requiring all cities and towns in Calif. to have water meters. Sacramento's city charter prohibited meters as we got our water out of the two rivers that flow through Sacramento. The newer homes have or are getting them as they are built. Those of us in the older part of the city and county will be phased in over the next 25 years. Very expensive and alot of water mains go through the backyards and will have to be moved to allow instalation and reading of meters. There are only two of us now so probably not to much, but would be interested to find out. I doubt if I will be around to see it.

Tom

Tom

[Jeffrey Schronce]

And even though some of our universities have still been still watering their synthetic turfs, most of us can no longer wash cars, pressure wash things, fill fountains, or water our lawns (press release).

I knew before I even clicked that link that I would be proud!

My parents live in NC and my Dad is making a trip up here just to buy hay for his horses. Hay is demanding $7-8 per bale in NC right now.

Jeff (on a well no idea on consumption)

[Tom Slick]

Living in CA we have always had drought conditions, the difference is that CA is engineered to live with very little rainfall.

my water bill says we use 43 CCF = 4300 cubic feet = 32,164 gallons. that sounds like way to much for 2 people who live fairly water conscious. We do have a dish washer and clothes washer, I also have an irrigation system for my yard.

are you guys sure you aren't reading cubic feet thinking it's gallons?

[Alex Franke]

Mods, are you able to add "No idea / Well water" as an option?

my water bill says we use 43 CCF = 4300 cubic feet = 32,164 gallons. . . .are you guys sure you aren't reading cubic feet thinking it's gallons?

Weird -- it definitely says gallons. (Check the press release link about half way down.) Are you use it's not 4.3 CCF? I read on another site that the average water consumption in CCF is 8.5.

[LCHIEN]

It's on your water bill.

My water bill has the last 12 months history on it.

average 6241
high 8300 (sept)
low 4500 (Aug)
that didn't make any sense...

[Tom Slick]

I forgot that my bill if for 2 months. it definatly says 43 ccf, they charge $2.03249 per ccf and the billed amount matches.

my wife pays the bills, I've never paid attention to my usage before.

[leehljp]

I could not find an option for adding "no idea" to it. It may be in some underneath options that only Sam has access to, but not sure. I think that some things are not editable, only delete-able.

AS to the water useage - I have no idea also. Our monthly water bill in my home town of Tunica, MS has been $3.00 a month for about 10 years. It is going up next year to $12.00 a month and that is for unlimited home usage.

That price includes garbage and sewage! Anyone care to guess why it is so cheap? (hint: You can bet your money on it.)

Anyone want to retire there?

[eweu]

We were just billed for 30 CCF (22,440 gallons) for August and September. That's down from 45 CCF last year in the same period, which I'm pretty happy with.

Tom, we get charged $2.1745 per CCF. No fair! And 40% of our water in Santa Clara county actually comes from here.

We've been trying to cut back on water usage as much as possible for a family of five and it seems to be working. We use drip irrigation everywhere we can and we try to plant California natives. The best advice, though, is "if it's yellow it's mellow; if it's brown flush it down." Really works!