In brief
In a move to rescind an Obama-era rule limiting water flow from multi-nozzle showers, Trump claims he's fighting against unnecessary regulations and aiming for a better shower experience.
Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at improving shower experiences for Americans, stating he intends to “make America’s showers great again.” The order targets a regulation implemented during Barack Obama’s presidency, which restricted showerheads with multiple nozzles to a maximum flow of 2.5 gallons of water per minute combined. Trump’s administration argues this rule is part of a "radical green agenda" that hinders daily life, particularly criticizing the “ridiculous” amount of time it takes to wet his hair.Consumer advocacy groups have countered that relaxing these standards could waste water and harm the environment. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project, in its 2024 report, highlighted that existing regulations save water and reduce utility costs, indicating that the laws established over three decades ago are useful for consumers and conservation.This change is rooted in a 1992 energy law that limits water flow from showerheads. While Trump relaxed those rules during his first term, President Joe Biden reinstated restrictions. Currently, the Biden administration refers to the effort to restore higher pressure showers as a "war on water pressure." Trump’s new order aims to shift back to what he describes as the “straightforward meaning” of ‘showerhead’ from 1992, emphasizing that Americans should freely choose their showerheads without federal interference.Upon signing the order in the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his frustrations about the length of time necessary for his hair to get wet, stating it was “ridiculous” and further spotlighting what he calls the ineffectiveness of low-pressure showerheads. The new regulations are expected to take effect 30 days after the energy secretary issues a formal notice rescinding the earlier definitions.
