In the latest move to reshape federal regulations, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at "making America’s showers great again." The order seeks to rescind regulations implemented during the Obama administration that limited the water flow from showerheads, particularly those with multiple nozzles. The previous regulations stipulated that multi-nozzle showers, as a whole, could not collectively discharge over 2.5 gallons of water per minute, a measure designed to conserve water and energy.
Trump’s new order rolls back these restrictions, allowing each individual nozzle to discharge up to 2.5 gallons per minute. According to the White House fact sheet, these restrictions were part of a "radical green agenda" that made life harder for Americans. "The Order frees Americans from excessive regulations that turned a basic household item into a bureaucratic nightmare. No longer will showerheads be weak and worthless."
In signing the order, President Donald Trump voiced his frustration with the current showerhead regulations. He complained that, under the existing rules, it takes him 15 minutes for his hair to get wet, describing the water flow as "drip, drip, drip" and calling the situation "ridiculous."
The Trump administration positions this action as part of its broader campaign to reduce overregulation and promote individual freedom
However, critics, including environmental groups and consumer advocates, argue that these changes are both wasteful and unnecessary. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a leading voice on efficiency standards, points out that the original 1992 energy law was designed to reduce water waste, save consumers money, and help protect the environment. They argue that this rollback will undo decades of progress on water conservation.
The debate over water flow and showerheads has been ongoing since Obama’s administration introduced a redefinition of “showerhead,” which set a new standard that the restriction on water flow applied to the total discharge of all nozzles combined. Trump’s order restores the “straightforward meaning” of the term as outlined in the original 1992 energy law, a shift that is expected to go into effect within 30 days once the energy secretary rescinds the previous definitions.
This decision is part of a larger effort by Trump to dismantle what he perceives as unnecessary regulations put in place by the previous administration. The Trump White House has also expressed frustration with other appliance regulations under the Biden administration, including those for gas stoves, water heaters, and dishwashers, which they argue stifle innovation and burden American consumers.
