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Water Leak Examples

Compare water loss from common leak sizes and put everyday water waste in perspective.

A quick guide to water loss

Small leaks can waste a surprising amount of water

Use the examples below to compare how much water can escape from leaks of different sizes. What looks like a minor drip can add up quickly when it continues around the clock.

Water dripping from a faucet

Smallest example

A dripping leak

A dripping leak can easily consume:

Per day15 gal.
Per month450 gal.
Water spraying from a one thirty-second inch pipe leak

Leak opening

A 1/32 in. leak

A 1/32 in. leak consumes:

Per day264 gal.
Per month7,920 gal.
Fine spray from a one sixteenth inch leak between pipes

Leak opening

A 1/16 in. leak

A 1/16 in. leak consumes:

Per day943 gal.
Per month28,300 gal.

At 60 psi, a 1/16" hole leaks 74,000 gallons (9,850 cubic feet) in 3 months.

Water spraying from a one eighth inch underground pipe leak

Leak opening

A 1/8 in. leak

A 1/8 in. leak consumes:

Per day3,806 gal.
Per month114,200 gal.

At 60 psi, a 1/8" hole leaks 296,000 gallons (39,400 cubic feet) in 3 months.

Water spraying from a one fourth inch pipe leak

Leak opening

A 1/4 in. leak

A 1/4 in. leak consumes:

Per day15,226 gal.
Per month456,800 gal.

At 60 psi, a 1/4" hole leaks 1,181,500 gallons (158,000 cubic feet) in 3 months.

Large stream of water spraying from a one half inch leak

Leak opening

A 1/2 in. leak

A 1/2 in. leak consumes:

Per day60,900 gal.
Per month1,827,000 gal.

Put the volume in perspective

Common water loss examples

Everyday plumbing and irrigation problems can waste thousands of gallons before they are noticed.

  • Leaking toilet @ 1/2 GPM21,600 gal./mo
  • Drip irrigation @ 1 GPM43,200 gal./mo
  • Watering garden for 2 hours @ 5 GPM18,000 gal./mo
  • Watering garden for 2 hours @ 10 GPM36,000 gal./mo
  • Unattended water hose for 1 night @ 10 GPM5,400 gal.
  • Broken service line for 1 night @ 15 GPM8,100 gal.
  • Broken service line for 1 day @ 15 GPM21,600 gal.
  • Broken service line for 1 week @ 15 GPM151,200 gal.
  • Broken service line for 1 month @ 15 GPM648,000 gal.
  • Stuck ice maker @ 2 GPM86,400 gal./mo
  • Stuck washing-machine check valve for 30 minutes240 gal.
  • Stuck watering-trough float valve @ 5 GPM216,000 gal./mo

A useful baseline

Typical normal water uses

Compare a suspected leak with the water used by common household activities.

42 gal.1 bath
17 gal.1 shower
45 gal.1 load of clothes
3 gal.1 toilet flush

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