GPCD stands for gallons per capita per day. What is it used for?

• A. The total annual water production of the utility.
• B. The average daily water use per person and is used to benchmark community performance and track progress.
• C. The maximum daily water supply from the reservoir.
• D. The cost per gallon of water to customers.

Answer: (B)

GPCD stands for gallons per capita per day, a metric that expresses the average daily water use per person. It’s calculated by dividing the total water produced and delivered in a day by the population served, giving a per-person daily usage figure. This value is used to benchmark how a community is performing in water efficiency and to track progress over time, helping utilities set goals, compare with peer communities, and monitor the impact of conservation programs. It focuses on per-person consumption rather than total system volume, capacity, or price, so it’s not about annual production, maximum daily supply, or cost per gallon.