On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to eliminate federal regulations that limit water flow in showers. He argued that these rules "suffocate daily life" for Americans and personally make it difficult for him to maintain his "beautiful hair." This decision revives an old obsession of the Republican president, who, during his first term, attempted to weaken energy efficiency laws implemented by the Obama administration. When Biden took office, he reversed Trump's measures, reinstating standards to reduce water and energy consumption in households.
However, now back in the Oval Office, Trump seeks to restore what he calls "common sense" and "flow freedom" in a personal crusade against what he views as excessive environmental bureaucracy. "I like to take a good shower. I have to be in the shower for 15 minutes before my hair gets wet. It drips drop by drop. It's ridiculous," Trump declared during the signing ceremony, which took place in a festive atmosphere at the White House. "It's my hair, it has to be perfect!"
A Move Against Efficiency
The executive order directs the Department of Energy to revoke regulations that limited water flow to 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) per minute per showerhead, a standard in place since 1992. Instead, each individual nozzle will be allowed to emit the same amount of water, significantly increasing the total volume of showers with multiple outlets.
Showers aren't the only target. The order also lifts restrictions on water use in toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers, restoring rules that Trump pushed during his first term. In previous posts on his Truth Social network, Trump had announced his intention to "reinstate common sense norms" in domestic water use, accusing Biden of canceling policies that, according to him, made life "easier and more American."
Criticism from Experts and Environmentalists
Reactions have been swift. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), an organization that promotes energy efficiency, labeled the measure "unnecessary, wasteful, and costly." According to its director, Andrew deLaski, "Most showerheads on the market already provide excellent flow, and consumers are satisfied. There is no real problem to solve."
DeLaski also emphasized that returning to higher flows will not only increase water and electricity bills but also negatively impact the environment, especially when parts of the country, particularly the West, are facing increasingly severe droughts. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has indicated that showers account for about 20% of indoor domestic water consumption, and reducing flow helps decrease energy use, as heating water represents one-fifth of the average household's energy consumption.
A Symbolic Gesture or Political Provocation?
For many observers, this new executive order represents more than just a policy on domestic consumption: it is a statement of Trumpism principles, a reaffirmation of his populist, defiant style that stands against federal regulations, especially those pushed by Democratic administrations. In a gesture bordering on the caricatured, Trump insisted that his motivation is practical: "People flush toilets 10, 15 times instead of once. What kind of efficiency is that?" he asserted during the event.
Such declarations are not new. As early as 2020, amid the pandemic, he formally proposed relaxing showerhead regulations. Even then, the initiative was widely ridiculed by energy experts and comedians, but now it becomes official policy once again.
Uncertain Impact
Though Trump has signed the order, the practical effects remain to be seen. During his first term, none of the major appliance brands or showerhead manufacturers made significant changes in response to the rules, and many experts predict that this new push might have a limited impact on the real market.
Nevertheless, the gesture brings Trump back to the center of a controversy intertwining politics, the environment, and personal style—with a generous dose of hair vanity—in a narrative that, like many of his decisions, blends the absurd with the ideological. In times of global climate crisis, the debate over shower water pressure takes on a surreal tone. But in the Trump era, even showerheads become a political battleground.
Understanding Trump's Executive Order on Shower Regulations
What changes did Trump's executive order make to shower regulations?
Trump's order revokes the regulations that limited water flow to 2.5 gallons per minute per showerhead, allowing each nozzle to emit that amount, thereby increasing the total volume in showers with multiple outlets.
How do experts view the impact of this order?
Experts and environmentalists criticize the move as unnecessary, wasteful, and costly, arguing it will raise water and electricity bills and harm the environment.
What are the potential environmental effects of increased water flow in showers?
Increased water flow can lead to higher water consumption and energy usage, impacting regions already facing droughts and contributing to environmental strain.