Do we use more water for toilet or shower?

Grade level:  5 – 6th grades

Skills: Circle graphs

Related environmental issues: Water

The circle graph below shows how the average American family uses water at home.

Screen Shot 2018-09-07 at 7.46.57 AM

1. For what purposes does the average American family use the most water?

2. For what purposes does the average American family use more water, shower or washing machine?

3. The average American family uses 300 gallons of water a day. How many gallons of water does the average American family use for shower?

4. The average American family loses a lot of water to leaky toilets, appliances and faucets. What percentage of water is wasted through leaks?

5. How many gallons of water does the average American family lose through leaks a day?

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2018. How We Use Water

To find and fix water leaks, visit here (Water Footprint, 2018. Indoor Water Leaks)

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Answer keys

  1. Toilet
  2. Shower
  3. 300 x 0.2 = 60 (gallons)
  4. 100 – 24 – 20 – 19 – 17 – 8 = 12 (%)
  5. 300 x 0.12 = 36 (gallons)