Calculate how much water and money you're wasting from a dripping faucet. A single drip per second can waste thousands of gallons per year.
Last updated: March 2026
Count drips for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
Check your water bill for cost per gallon (avg. $0.004-$0.015)
A dripping faucet is more than just an annoyance—it's a significant source of water waste and unnecessary expense. Even a slow drip of one drop per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. That's enough water to take over 180 showers!
The environmental impact extends beyond just wasted water. Treating and delivering that water to your home requires energy. Wasting water also wastes the electricity used for water treatment, pumping, and heating. In drought-prone areas, every drop matters for community water security.
Most dripping faucets are caused by worn washers, O-rings, or valve seats. These are inexpensive parts that typically cost less than $5 and can be replaced in under 30 minutes with basic tools. The small investment in repairs pays for itself many times over through reduced water bills.
*Standard water drop volume is approximately 0.05 mL (1/20th of a milliliter)
Calculate annual waste from a slow drip:
Even a slow drip of 10 per minute wastes 69 gallons annually. A faster drip of 60 per minute (one per second) would waste 416 gallons per year! A $3 washer replacement could save you money and conserve water.
One drip per second (60 drips per minute) wastes approximately 3-5 gallons per day, or 1,095-1,825 gallons per year. That's enough to fill a backyard swimming pool!
Most drips are caused by worn washers, O-rings, or valve seats inside the faucet. Hard water can accelerate wear. Sometimes, it's just loose parts that need tightening. Age and quality of the faucet also play a role.
Absolutely. Even if the cost savings are modest ($5-20/year), repairs typically cost under $10 for parts and 30 minutes of time. The environmental benefit and avoiding future damage make it worthwhile.
Yes. Over time, constant dripping can stain sinks, promote mold growth in the cabinet below, and indicate worn plumbing that may lead to bigger leaks. Catching it early prevents more expensive repairs.
Check your water bill for the cost per unit (usually per 100 cubic feet or per 1,000 gallons). Convert to cost per gallon. Typical rates range from $0.003-$0.015 per gallon depending on location.
Hot water drips waste both water AND energy. You're paying to heat water that goes straight down the drain. The true cost is water rate plus energy cost, potentially doubling or tripling the waste.
No. Drop size varies slightly based on water pressure, temperature, and faucet design. Our calculator uses an average of 0.05 mL per drop, which is accurate for most residential faucets.
Simple compression faucets are DIY-friendly with basic tools. Ceramic disk faucets and cartridge faucets may require special tools. If you're uncomfortable working with plumbing or can't identify the faucet type, call a plumber.
| Drips/Minute | Gal/Day | Gal/Year | Liters/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0.10 | 35 | 132 |
| 10 | 0.19 | 69 | 261 |
| 20 | 0.38 | 139 | 526 |
| 30 | 0.57 | 208 | 787 |
| 60 | 1.14 | 416 | 1575 |
Based on standard drip volume of 0.05 mL per drop. Actual waste may vary by ±10% depending on water pressure and faucet type.
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