In a bold move aimed at enhancing consumer comfort, Donald Trump is set to make America's showers great again by relaxing existing regulations on water flow. The White House has announced that the president is directing the energy secretary to rescind a regulation implemented during the Obama administration that limited the water discharge from multi-nozzle showers to a maximum of 2.5 gallons per minute.
This regulation was part of a broader green initiative that, according to the White House, has negatively impacted the daily lives of Americans. President Trump has voiced his frustration over the time-consuming process it takes for him to wet his hair in the shower, calling the previous rules “ridiculous.”
Consumer advocacy and environmental groups have previously criticized any changes to these regulations as unnecessary and wasteful. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project has highlighted that efficiency standards established over three decades ago have significantly reduced water waste, saved consumers money on their utility bills, and contributed to environmental protection efforts. Under the 1992 energy law, showerheads in the United States were restricted to a maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) of water per minute.
In a significant shift, President Obama redefined the showerhead regulations as part of an Energy Conservation Program, stipulating that the 2.5-gallon limit applied to the total output of all nozzles combined rather than to each individual nozzle. However, at the end of his first term in 2020, Trump attempted to revert this by allowing each nozzle to discharge up to 2.5 gallons per minute. This change was reversed when Joe Biden took office, with his administration labeling their actions as part of a "war on water pressure." They argue that since Americans pay for their water, they should have the freedom to choose their showerheads without unnecessary federal interference.
Trump's latest initiative seeks to restore the original definition of "showerhead" as outlined in the 1992 law. The White House fact sheet states that this order aims to liberate Americans from burdensome regulations that have transformed a simple household item into a bureaucratic challenge. The administration promises that consumers will no longer have to endure weak and ineffective showerheads.
The order is expected to take effect 30 days after the energy secretary publishes the notice rescinding the previous definition. During the signing of the order in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump reiterated his concerns about the inadequacy of water flow, humorously lamenting that it takes him 15 minutes just to get his hair wet. This sentiment echoes his previous complaints from 2020, where he emphasized the necessity of having perfect hair.
As Trump moves forward with this initiative, the debate over water flow regulations in showers is reignited. Whether this change will benefit consumers or lead to increased water waste remains to be seen, but it undeniably highlights a significant shift in energy policy and consumer choice in America.
