24 Plumbing Statistics: Leaks, Water Use, Repair Costs, and the Industry (2026)
The numbers behind household leaks, water use, fixture efficiency, plumbing repair costs, and the US plumbing industry in 2026, plus why homeowners hire vetted, licensed pros.
Household leaks quietly waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water across the US every year, and the average home loses more than 9,300 gallons annually, according to EPA WaterSense. Small drips, running toilets, and aging pipes add up to real money on every water bill. The 24 verified statistics below cover how much water households waste and use, what efficient fixtures save, what common repairs cost, and how big the plumbing trade has become. If a leak or a slow drain is already costing you, our plumbing repair services connect you with vetted local pros.
Key Takeaways
- Household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water a year nationwide, and the average home loses more than 9,300 gallons annually (EPA WaterSense).
- Nine percent of homes have leaks that waste 50 gallons or more per day, and fixing easy leaks cuts water bills about 10 percent (EPA WaterSense).
- The average family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day, about 70 percent of it indoors, where the toilet alone accounts for 27 percent (EPA WaterSense).
- WaterSense fixtures use at least 20 percent less water, saving the average family more than $380 a year (EPA WaterSense).
- A typical plumbing job runs $150 to $500, while a whole-house repipe costs roughly $10,000 to $20,000 (This Old House).
- The US plumbers industry is worth about $191.4 billion in 2026, spread across roughly 128,787 businesses (IBISWorld).
- About 504,500 plumbers were employed in 2024, earning a median $62,970, with 4 percent job growth projected through 2034 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Household leaks and wasted water
1. Household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons a year nationwide
Leaks in American homes add up to nearly 1 trillion gallons of wasted water annually across the country, equal to the yearly household use of more than 11 million homes, according to EPA WaterSense. Most of that loss is invisible until it shows up on a bill or a ceiling stain.
2. The average home wastes more than 9,300 gallons a year to leaks
The average household's leaks account for more than 9,300 gallons of water wasted every year, per EPA WaterSense. That is water you pay for and never use. Left unchecked, hidden leaks can also feed the mold and rot behind our water damage statistics.
3. Nine percent of homes leak 50 gallons or more per day
Roughly nine percent of homes have leaks that waste 50 gallons or more per day, a slow but steady loss that rarely announces itself, according to EPA WaterSense. A licensed plumber can pressure-test a system and find the source.
4. A dripping faucet wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year
A faucet that drips just once per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons per year, enough water for more than 180 showers, per EPA WaterSense. A worn washer or cartridge is usually a quick, inexpensive fix.
5. A leaky showerhead wastes more than 500 gallons a year
A showerhead leaking at ten drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year, roughly the water it takes to run a dishwasher 60 times, according to EPA WaterSense.
6. Fixing easy leaks cuts water bills about 10 percent
Repairing simple household leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills, per EPA WaterSense. For a family already paying more than $1,000 a year for water, that is real savings for a modest repair.
Source: EPA WaterSense.
How much water households use
7. The average family uses more than 300 gallons a day
The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home, and roughly 70 percent of that use happens indoors, according to EPA WaterSense. Understanding where that water goes is the first step to cutting waste.
8. Each American uses about 82 gallons a day at home
On a per-person basis, each American uses an average of 82 gallons of water a day at home, per EPA WaterSense. Multiply that across a family and the daily total climbs quickly.
9. The toilet alone uses about 27 percent of indoor water
The bathroom is the biggest indoor water consumer, and the toilet by itself accounts for about 27 percent of indoor household use, according to EPA WaterSense. That makes the toilet the single best target for efficiency upgrades.
10. Outdoor use accounts for about 30 percent of household water
Nationally, outdoor water use accounts for about 30 percent of total household use, and in dry climates it can climb far higher, per EPA WaterSense. Irrigation leaks and broken sprinkler lines are a common hidden drain.
Source: EPA WaterSense.
Fixture efficiency and savings
11. Efficient fixtures use at least 20 percent less water
Installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances can reduce household water use by at least 20 percent, according to EPA WaterSense. The savings compound every day the fixtures are in service.
12. The average family can save more than $380 a year
The average family spends more than $1,000 per year on water, but can save more than $380 annually by retrofitting with WaterSense labeled fixtures and ENERGY STAR certified appliances, per EPA WaterSense. A hot-water upgrade pairs well with water heater installation.
13. Efficient toilets save about 13,000 gallons a year
Replacing old, inefficient toilets with WaterSense models saves the average family about 13,000 gallons of water and $130 in water costs per year, according to EPA WaterSense. Because the toilet is the biggest indoor user, it delivers the largest single-fixture return.
14. Efficient showerheads save about 2,700 gallons a year
Swapping in WaterSense labeled showerheads can save the average family more than 2,700 gallons of water per year and cut water and electricity costs by about $70, per EPA WaterSense.
15. Efficient faucets save about $250 over their lifetime
Replacing old bathroom faucets and aerators with WaterSense labeled models saves the average family about $250 in water and electricity costs over the faucets' lifetime, according to EPA WaterSense. Aerators are among the cheapest upgrades a plumber can make.
Source: EPA WaterSense.
Plumbing repair costs
16. A typical plumbing job runs $150 to $500
Most plumbing jobs cost between $150 and $500, with plumbers charging roughly $100 per hour on average and hourly rates ranging from about $25 to $200 by experience level, according to This Old House. A free fixed-price estimate removes the guesswork.
17. Repairing a leaking pipe costs about $150 to $450
Fixing a leaking pipe typically runs $150 to $450 depending on location and access, per This Old House. Catching a leak early keeps it in that range instead of turning into a wall or ceiling repair.
18. A toilet repair runs $100 to $300, replacement $300 to $800
Repairing a toilet generally costs $100 to $300, while a full replacement runs about $300 to $800 installed, according to This Old House. Given the water an efficient toilet saves, replacement often pays for itself over time.
19. Clearing a clogged drain costs about $100 to $500
Drain snaking and clog clearing typically cost $100 to $500 depending on the blockage and how deep it sits, per This Old House. Recurring clogs can signal a larger line issue worth a professional inspection.
20. Repiping a whole house costs roughly $10,000 to $20,000
A full whole-house repipe is the largest common plumbing project, running about $10,000 to $20,000, according to This Old House. Homes with old galvanized or polybutylene pipe are the usual candidates, and licensing matters on a job this size.
Source: This Old House.
The plumbing industry
21. The US plumbers industry is worth about $191.4 billion in 2026
The US plumbers industry reached a market size of about $191.4 billion in 2026, having expanded at roughly a 3.1 percent average annual rate over the prior five years, according to IBISWorld. Repairs and replacements make up a large share of that demand.
22. Roughly 128,787 plumbing businesses operate in the US
The industry spans about 128,787 plumbing businesses in 2026, and no single company holds more than 5 percent of the market, per IBISWorld. That fragmentation means quality varies widely, which is why our plumbing pros are screened for licensing and insurance.
23. About 504,500 plumbers were employed in 2024, earning a median $62,970
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters held about 504,500 jobs in 2024, with a median annual wage of $62,970 in May 2024 and the top 10 percent earning more than $105,150, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
24. Plumber employment is projected to grow 4 percent through 2034
Demand for skilled plumbers is steady: employment is projected to grow about 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 44,000 openings each year, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A tight labor market makes booking a vetted pro early worthwhile.
Source: IBISWorld.
What this means for homeowners
- Leaks are the quiet money drain. With the average home wasting more than 9,300 gallons a year and nine percent of homes losing 50 gallons or more a day, finding and fixing leaks is one of the highest-return plumbing tasks you can do.
- Efficiency upgrades pay you back. WaterSense fixtures cut water use at least 20 percent and save the typical family more than $380 a year, with efficient toilets alone saving about 13,000 gallons.
- Most repairs are affordable when caught early. A typical job runs $150 to $500, but a delayed leak can escalate into water damage or a repipe costing $10,000 to $20,000.
- The trade is large and fragmented, so credentials matter. Across roughly 128,787 plumbing businesses, licensing and insurance are the clearest signal of quality.
- Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured pros and provides free fixed-price estimates. See where we work on our service areas page and request an estimate when you are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water do household leaks waste?
Household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually across the US, and the average home loses more than 9,300 gallons a year, enough to fill a backyard pool, according to EPA WaterSense. Fixing easily corrected leaks can trim about 10 percent off a water bill. A vetted plumber can trace hidden leaks that a homeowner cannot see behind walls or under slabs.
How much does a plumbing repair cost in 2026?
A typical plumbing job runs about $150 to $500, with leaking pipe repairs around $150 to $450, toilet repairs $100 to $300, and drain clearing $100 to $500, per This Old House. Whole-house repiping is far larger at roughly $10,000 to $20,000. Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured pros and gives free fixed-price estimates so you know the number before work begins.
How much water does the average household use per day?
The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home, and roughly 70 percent of that is used indoors, according to EPA WaterSense. The toilet alone accounts for about 27 percent of indoor use. Each American uses an average of 82 gallons a day at home.
Do water-efficient fixtures actually save money?
Yes. Installing WaterSense labeled fixtures and ENERGY STAR appliances can cut household water use by at least 20 percent, and the average family can save more than $380 a year, per EPA WaterSense. Replacing old toilets alone saves about 13,000 gallons and $130 per year. A licensed plumber can retrofit fixtures correctly and confirm the savings.
How big is the US plumbing industry?
The US plumbers industry reached a market size of about $191.4 billion in 2026 across roughly 128,787 businesses, according to IBISWorld, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics counted about 504,500 plumbers in 2024 earning a median $62,970. The trade is highly fragmented, so quality varies widely. Pro House Maintenance screens every pro for licensing and insurance before matching you.