How Much Water Does The Average House Use?

Are you curious about the average household water usage? Washing your hands, cleaning the dishes, and having a well-deserved soak in the bath – these daily activities all contribute to your average water usage per person, but most of us haven’t stopped to think about our household water usage.

According to a 2025 Consumer Council for Water Report, the average daily water usage per person in the UK is approximately 140 litres, though many believe their household uses far less, around 62 litres a day. Nine out of 10 British people think their household has an average or below-average water consumption, but that isn’t the case.

Without knowing, our daily habits add up, which can result in a large water bill per month, especially when multiple people live under one roof. Read on to find out how much water the average household actually uses, the average water bill per month in the UK, and what you can do to cut your costs.

An Average UK Household’s Water Usage

The average household water usage will vary depending on the number of people living within the property.

Let’s take a look at the average water usage uk m³ per month, based on 2025 data from the Consumer Council for Water. For reference, one cubic metre is equal to 1,000 litres, so you can see how quickly your water usage adds up over a month.

• One person: 4.6 m³/month (55 m³/year)
• Two people: 8.5 m³/month (102 m³/year)
• Three people: 11.1 m³/month (133 m³/year)
• Four people: 13.7 m³/month (164 m³/year)
• Five people: 16.2 m³/month (194 m³/year)
• Six people: 18.0 m³/month (216 m³/year)

That’s a lot of water, but how does it add up? Well, a power shower uses 13 litres of water per minute (answering how many litres of water does a shower use), washing your hands with a running tap uses six litres per minute, and every time you flush a modern toilet, that’s five litres of water used up in seconds (nine litres for older toilets).

How Much is the Average UK Water Bill?

The average water bill uk family of 4 for 2025-2026 is around £619, up from £488, though this varies by water company, according to Water UK.

This raises the average water bill per month uk by about £11, from £40.67 to £51.58.

If you don’t monitor your average water consumption per person, you could face higher charges.

Factors that can increase water usage

Several factors can increase your average daily water usage uk, affecting your water bill:

• Limescale buildup: Hard water causes limescale in pipes and appliances, leading to blockages or leaks that waste water, increasing usage as appliances work harder or need rewashing. 
• Leaks: A dripping tap wastes up to 5,500 litres yearly, raising your average daily water usage.
• More occupants: Larger households boost the average water use per person uk with more showers and appliance use.

Hard water effects: Hard water reduces soap efficiency, requiring rewashing and more water. Discover the hidden impacts of hard water.

Reduce Your Household’s Water Usage

No matter your household size, you’re likely using more water than needed. Here are small changes to cut costs and improve efficiency, lowering your average water usage per person:

• Only run your dishwasher or washing machine when full.
• Don’t leave taps running while brushing your teeth or washing hands.
• Shower more efficiently by reducing your daily shower time.
• Shower instead of taking a bath, which uses up to 80 litres.
• For tea, boil only the water you need, not a full kettle.
• Consider a water softener to prevent limescale buildup, which causes blockages, damage, and leaks, wasting water. Softeners also keep glassware mark-free, avoiding rewashing. 

Click to find out more about our water softeners and get in touch today!

FAQ

How much water does the average home use?

The average home uses around 350–400 litres of water per day, depending on the number of occupants and appliances used.

How much water does an average house use per day?

An average house typically uses 0.35–0.4 cubic metres of water per day, equal to approximately 350–400 litres.

How much water does the average household use per year?

The average household uses 130,000–150,000 litres per year, though this varies by family size and lifestyle.

How much water does the average household use per person?

Each person in the UK uses around 140 litres per day, combining showering, cooking, cleaning, and appliance use.

How much water does the average family use?

A family of four will typically use 450–600 litres per day, depending on habits and water-efficient technologies.

How much water does the average person use per day?

The average person uses about 140 litres of water per day in the UK.

How many litres of water does a shower use?

A typical shower uses 8–12 litres per minute, meaning a standard 8-minute shower uses 60–100 litres.

How much water does an average shower use in total?

Most UK showers use 60–100 litres, depending on showerhead type and duration.

How many litres does a washing machine use?

Modern washing machines use 45–60 litres per cycle, while older models can use over 70 litres.

How much water does washing machine use per cycle?

A water-efficient machine typically uses 50 litres per wash.

How much water does a dishwasher use (UK)?

A modern UK dishwasher uses 10–15 litres per cycle, significantly less than handwashing.

How much is a cubic metre of water? / How much water is a cubic meter?

One cubic metre of water equals 1,000 litres.

How much should my water bill be?

The average UK water bill is typically £35–£45 per month, depending on region, usage, and meter readings.

How much water does the average household use with softened water?

A Harvey Water Softener doesn’t significantly increase water usage; most households see no noticeable change, and often save water by preventing limescale and improving appliance efficiency.