Many people may have become aware of their water bills for the first time after living alone. This time, we will introduce the average water bill for a single person based on public data. It is important to try to save water if you feel that it is "high" compared to the average. We will also introduce effective water saving methods, so please refer to it.

How is the monthly water bill determined?

The water bill is not uniform across the country, but varies by municipality. In most cases, you will be billed once every two months for the sum of the water and sewage charges used. However, sewerage charges may not be included in some regions even within the same municipality. First, check your water bill statement, and if you have any questions, please contact the waterworks bureau with which you have a contract. Here, as an example, we will introduce the breakdown of the water bill in Tokyo.

Basic charge for water supply

The basic charge for water supply is a charge that is incurred every month while the contract is in place, regardless of the amount of water used. Based on the diameter (nominal diameter) of the water meter, the larger the diameter, the higher the charge. 13mm, 20mm, and 25mm are most commonly used for home use, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks has set the basic rates for each of them as follows (as of November 2021).

・13mm: 860 yen・20mm: 1,170 yen・25mm: 1,460 yen

The caliber is listed on the cover of the water meter or on the meter reading slip sent from the waterworks bureau. You should check it once.

Pay-as-you-go fee

A metered charge is a charge that is added according to the amount of water used. Unit prices and usage categories vary by municipality, but generally there is a progressive system in which unit prices rise in stages.

In the case of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks, the same unit price is set for diameters of 13 to 25 mm. Usage up to 5 cubic meters is included in the basic charge, so there is no usage charge. After that, the unit price will increase according to the amount used, such as 22 yen per cubic meter from 6 to 10 cubic meters, and 128 yen per cubic meter from 11 to 20 cubic meters.

Sewerage charges

Sewerage charges are calculated based on water usage, not the actual amount of sewage. The amount of water used is not necessarily the same as the amount of sewage. However, this calculation method is used because most of the water used flows into the sewage system and it is difficult to measure sewage containing solid matter. In addition, there are areas where the sewerage fee is not charged due to the structure of the sewage pipe.

The Bureau of Waterworks, Tokyo Metropolitan Government has established a sewerage charge of 560 yen as a basic charge for 0 to 8 cubic meters. Therefore, even if you do not use the water supply, it will cost 560 yen uniformly. If it exceeds 8 cubic meters, it will be a progressive system with a metered charge added for each unit price per 1 cubic meter as with water supply.

What is the average monthly water bill for a single person?

According to data from the Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the national average for water and sewage charges in 2020 for single households is 2,172 yen. However, as I mentioned in the breakdown of water charges, the calculation standards differ depending on the municipality. Shown below are the average water and sewage charges for single-person households by area.

Comparing water bills for single-person households across the country, you can see that they tend to be higher in the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions and lower in the Kinki region.

How much water does a single person use?

We have adopted a pay-as-you-go rate, in which the unit price increases as you use the water. Now that you know your average water bill, let's take a look at your average water usage.

Water usage per household size

According to a survey by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks, the average amount of water usage per month by household size is announced as follows.

As the number of household members increases, the amount of water used increases, but the amount used per person decreases. Bathing and washing use a lot of water, and the reason for this may be that it can be shared by the family.

Water usage by purpose

We use water casually in various scenes of life, but do you know how much water you use? According to a survey by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks, 40% of the water used per day at home is used for bathing, 21% for toilets, 18% for cooking, and 15% for washing. is.

The specific amount of water varies depending on the model and function of the equipment and home appliances. For example, a 1216 size (0.75 tsubo) bathtub, which is a common size for detached houses, holds about 150 liters of water when it is about 70% full. On average, about 6 liters of water is used per toilet flush. A front-loading washing machine uses less water per wash than a top-loading washing machine. One manufacturer calculates that the standard amount of water used for vertical washing machines is about 175 liters, and about 55 liters for drum-type washing machines.

The following is a guideline for water usage compiled by the Bureau of Waterworks, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Please try to reference.

Recommended water-saving method for living alone

The basic water charge is a fixed amount each month, but the metered charge varies depending on the amount of water used. Therefore, it is important to reduce the amount of water used in order to save water. Here, we will introduce water-saving methods for bathing, washing, and cooking, which use a lot of water.

Bath

If you live alone, you can save water by taking a shower instead of filling the bathtub with hot water every time. However, please do not leave the shower running and stop it frequently. When soaking in a bathtub, it is a good idea to use the water that has been stored in the bathtub when washing your hair and body.

In addition, it is more effective to replace the shower head with a water-saving type. You can expect about 30 to 50% water saving effect compared to a normal shower head. If you are renting, you must put it back when you move out, so please keep the removed shower head in a safe place.

Shortening the time you use the shower for 1 minute saves 4.38 cubic meters of water per year, saving about 1,000 yen on your water bill.

Laundry

Instead of doing a little bit of laundry every day, we recommend that you wash it all at once after the laundry has accumulated to some extent. Comparing 40% of the laundry in a 6kg capacity washing machine with 80% of the laundry and halving the number of washings, you can save 16.75 cubic meters of water per year, about 3,820 yen. savings are possible.

Some commercial laundry detergents require only one rinse. It will save water, so please try it once.

In addition, drum-type washing machines are more water-saving than vertical ones. If you are planning to purchase or replace a washing machine, how about choosing a drum type to save water bills?

Cooking

Let's review the routine for washing dishes. Wipe oil stains on dishes and frying pans with a rag or kitchen paper before rinsing them with water. Start with the dirtiest items first, turn off the water while you are scrubbing with the sponge, and rinse after you have finished cleaning everything.

If you don't wash the dishes right away, soak them in water. Dirt comes off easily and leads to water saving. If possible, it is also recommended to replace the faucet with a water-saving type and use a dishwasher (dryer).

By hand-washing and using a dishwasher (dryer) water connection type, standard mode, you can save 36.65 cubic meters of water per year. Electricity bills will be charged instead of water bills, but you can still save about 8,140 yen. (*)

*When both hand washing and dishwasher drying are performed twice a day

Source: Household Energy Conservation Thorough Guide Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter | Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

Summary

According to the 2020 household budget survey, the average monthly water bill for a single person was 2,172 yen. There are regional differences in water charges, with Hokkaido and Tohoku regions tending to be higher than the average.

However, there is no change in the fact that the unit price increases as you use it in any region. To save money on your water bill, it is important to save water. Even just being conscious of frequently stopping the water will make a big difference in your water bill. We encourage you to start practicing the water-saving methods introduced in this article today.