> What I would like to know is why the America average wash cycle requires around 40 gallons (151L) of water [1] Your source does not call this the average, bu

> What I would like to know is why the America average wash cycle requires around 40 gallons (151L) of water [1] Your source does not call this the average, but the upper limit. Washing machines have a range of sizes you can set them at ranging from small to "super-max". Also a range of durations depending on how many cycles and how much washing is needed. You'd need to relate it to how much laundry gets washed per gallon. Also, some parts of the US are semi-tropical and even swamp. Not every state is as worried about conserving water.