New research shows little correlation between drought or dry conditions in a locality and the amount of water citizens use.
For instance, a family in Phoenix, one of the driest and most drought-plagued U.S. cities, uses the most water in the country: 131,400 gal. per year, Waterless Co. said, citing an American Water Intelligence study. On the other hand, citizens of Seattle, which tends to receive ample rainfall each year, use about 47,000 gal. of water per year.
“We must also remember that water costs considerably more in Seattle than in Phoenix,” Klaus Reichardt, founder and chief executive officer of Waterless Co., said. “When costs go up, households and facilities tend to use water more efficiently.”
After Phoenix, the researchers found the following to be the largest consumers of water in the country:
2. Los Angeles
3. Dallas
4. El Paso, Texas
5. Denver
6. San Antonio
7. Chicago
8. Miami
9. New York City
10. Houston
“It is interesting to note that four of the top water-consuming cities in the country are in Texas,” Reichardt said. “A factor that may play a role here is that water rates in Texas have been kept artificially low for years ... a situation that is changing rapidly.”
Figures reflect a typical monthly bill for a single-family home using 7,500 gal. of water.