This is how much water a vegan diet really saves [Infographic]

When we talk about water conservation, we usually think of shorter showers, low-flow toilets, and turning off the tap while brushing our teeth.

While those actions help, the biggest lever you can pull to save water isn’t in the bathroom — it’s in the kitchen.

A growing body of research shows that what you eat has a profound impact on water usage. And among all dietary patterns, veganism stands out as one of the most water-efficient.

Whether you’re driven by drought headlines, a commitment to sustainability, or just plain curiosity, understanding the water cost of food reveals a surprising truth: eating plants can save more water than almost anything else you do in a day.

What the numbers say: daily savings add up fast

According to data compiled by the Vegan Calculator, every person who switches to a fully vegan diet saves approximately 4,164 liters (or 1,100 gallons) of water per day. That’s more than four times the water used in a 10-minute shower.

In fact, it's the equivalent of:

• 27 full bathtubs

• 70 average dishwashing cycles

• 150 toilet flushes

Extrapolate that over a year, and you reach an astounding number: over 600,000 gallons of water saved per individual every year.

Put in visual terms, that’s enough water to fill a medium-sized backyard swimming pool every three days — just by opting for plants over animal products.

Why animal foods use so much water

The vast majority of water in our food system is used to grow crops — but when we consume animal products, that water use multiplies. That’s because farm animals eat massive quantities of feed over their lifetimes, and all of that corn, soy, and grain requires irrigation.

But feed is only part of the story. Animals also need water for drinking, cleaning, and processing. Add in the maintenance of industrial-scale farms, and the total water footprint grows quickly.

Let’s break it down:

• Beef is the most water-intensive food in common diets. Producing just one pound of beef requires about 1,800 gallons of water — equivalent to 105 showers.

• Tofu, by contrast, requires roughly 300 gallons per pound — about six times less water.

This stark contrast isn’t just about cows vs. soybeans — it’s about the efficiency of skipping the middleman. When you eat plants directly, you cut out the enormous water investment required to raise animals.

How does a vegan diet compare overall?

Let’s say you’re not eating steak every night — but you do include meat, dairy, or eggs in most meals.

According to aggregated research from EcoWatch, switching from a standard Western diet to a vegan one can reduce your overall water footprint by up to 54%.

That includes the full farm-to-table picture:

• Irrigation for crops

• Water used in processing and slaughterhouses

• Packaging and transportation

• Daily consumption (drinking, cleaning, etc.)

In short, a vegan diet is one of the most effective ways to slash your personal water use without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

Real-world impact: what does 600,000 gallons actually mean?

It’s easy to get lost in numbers, so let’s reframe that annual savings visually. Here’s what 600,000 gallons of water—the average yearly water savings of a vegan diet—can support:

• 13,000+ showers (at 8 minutes each)

• 17,000 dishwasher cycles

• 20 years of daily drinking water for one person

And if every adult in the U.S. adopted a plant-based diet?

• The country would collectively save over 192 trillion gallons of water annually, based on census estimates.

That’s enough to replenish large portions of the Colorado River Basin or support water-scarce cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas through extended droughts.

But don’t almonds use a lot of water?

You’ve probably heard the counterpoint: “Plant foods waste water too—especially almonds and avocados.”

And some plant-based ingredients are indeed more water-intensive than others. Almonds, for instance, require about 1.1 gallons of water per nut.

But here’s the important context: even the thirstiest plants pale in comparison to animal products. For example:

• Cheese: ~600 gallons per pound

• Chicken: ~500 gallons per pound

• Eggs: ~50 gallons per egg

In contrast, most legumes, grains, and vegetables fall well below the 300 gallons-per-pound mark. And plant foods generally yield more calories and protein per liter of water used.

Put simply: plant-based diets may not be perfect, but they’re dramatically more efficient when it comes to water.

Is local more important than plant-based?

It’s a common misconception that eating local trumps other environmental concerns, like water or emissions. But research consistently shows that what you eat matters more than where it’s grown.

A 2018 paper in Science, analyzing food supply chains from 119 countries, found that transportation typically accounts for less than 10% of a food item’s environmental impact. By comparison, animal agriculture contributes far more to water scarcity and greenhouse gas emissions.

So yes, local produce is a plus—but the biggest water wins still come from replacing animal foods with plant-based alternatives, regardless of mileage.

Everyday swaps that make a big difference

You don’t need to go 100% vegan overnight to see results. Even partial changes can dramatically reduce your water footprint:

• Swap one beef-based meal per week for a lentil or chickpea dish = ~1,500 gallons saved

• Replace cow’s milk with oat or almond milk (even factoring in almond water use, it’s still a win)

• Choose tofu, tempeh, or black beans in tacos, stir-fries, or salads in place of meat

If you’re hosting friends, making your next dinner party plant-based could save more water than turning off your sprinklers for a week.

Beyond water: the ripple effect

While this article focuses on water, it’s worth noting that the same dietary shift also reduces:

• Greenhouse gas emissions (up to 73% lower for vegan diets)

• Land use (up to 76% less land needed for crops and grazing)

• Deforestation, especially in the Amazon, which is largely driven by cattle farming

So when you choose vegan, you’re not only conserving water—you’re aligning with broader climate and biodiversity goals.

Final pour: what we choose to eat can refill the future

Water scarcity isn’t an abstract issue — it’s a present challenge in dozens of countries and an emerging crisis in many U.S. states. And while tech innovations and infrastructure changes matter, our daily plates may hold the simplest solution of all.

By eating more plants and fewer animal products, each of us can save thousands of gallons of water—without sacrificing taste, nutrition, or variety.

It’s not just about eating differently. It’s about living with greater awareness that every bite is a resource decision.