Report: Wakefield Water Use Somewhat Higher Than Nearby Communities

Wakefield residents are generally average when it comes to the amount of water they use, according to data that ran this weekend on Boston.com.

On a town-by-town map, Boston.com cited state figures showing the average Wakefield resident uses 61 gallons per day, at an average annual cost of $642. Other surrounding towns on average used less water, such as Peabody (58 gallons), Stoneham (64 gallons), Melrose (50 gallons), and Reading (47 gallons). The highest users of water in Massachusetts were reportedly in Weston, with average use of 100 gallons per day at an average annual cost of $414. Neighboring Lynnfield ranked among the highest statewide at 81 gallons per day.

A companion piece that ran on the Boston Globe website noted that statewide water usage varies wildly but has actually been going down in recent years, and that the heaviest-using communities tend to be those with large lot sizes.