Water-Saving Bathroom Fixtures: What the Federal Limits and EPA's Numbers Say

A WaterSense labeled toilet may use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush, 20% less than the federal maximum of 1.6 gallons. Source [1], [5]

EPA estimates that the average family replacing old, inefficient toilets with WaterSense models saves nearly 13,000 gallons of water a year and cuts toilet water use by 20 to 60%. EPA says older toilets can use as much as 6 gallons per flush. Source [1]

A WaterSense labeled showerhead may flow at no more than 2.0 gallons per minute against a federal maximum of 2.5, and EPA estimates the average family saves 2,700 gallons of water and more than 330 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. Source [2], [5]

A WaterSense labeled bathroom faucet may flow at no more than 1.5 gallons per minute against the federal 2.2, and EPA estimates the average family saves 700 gallons a year. Source [4], [3], [5]

Toilets account for 24% of indoor household water use, showers 20% and faucets 19%, according to the Water Research Foundation's 2016 Residential End Uses of Water study as charted by EPA. Leaks account for 12%. Source [6]

The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water a day at home, roughly 70% of it indoors, according to EPA. Source [6]

EPA says replacing a main bathroom's toilet, showerhead and faucet aerator with WaterSense labeled models "can pay for itself in as little as 1 year." Source [7]

Veolia Water Idaho charges Boise-area metered customers $1.9206 per 100 cubic feet (748 gallons) of water in winter and $2.4313 in summer for use above 300 cubic feet, plus $27.63 every two months for a standard meter, under its tariff effective June 1, 2025. Source [8]

At Veolia's winter rate, the 13,000 gallons EPA estimates a family saves by replacing old toilets is about $33 of water a year. Our calculation from [1], [8]