Former President Donald Trump signed a new executive order on Wednesday aimed at reversing regulations on showerhead water pressure established during the Obama and Biden administrations. Originally, this order was meant to be signed in the Oval Office. It addresses the bizarre rule that the Department of Energy enacted back in August 2020, that limited the maximum amount of water released by showerheads.
The 2020 rule change allowed each individual shower nozzle to release a maximum of 2.5 gallons per minute. Where one fixed this loophole, it limited the total output of an entire fixture to that same cap. This regulation kicked up a huge amount of controversy. The White House even went so far as to denounce it as another front in the ongoing “shower wars.”
In his remarks during the signing, Trump framed the executive order as a necessary step in “Undoing the left’s war on water pressure.” He underscored this preference by sharing his own desire for a high water flow, which he believes is the key to up-keeping his signature ‘do.
“Undoing the left’s war on water pressure.” – President Donald Trump
The White House had touted the executive order as a move to save projects from – in their words – overregulation. A fact sheet released by the administration stated that such regulation “chokes the American economy, entrenches bureaucrats and stifles personal freedom.”
In July 2021, the Biden administration proposed steps to undo this harmful rule. This decision is a huge policy win for varying water use practices in household environments. Underlying the applause for Trump’s efforts amidst this crisis is his order mandating Energy Secretary Chris Wright to remove these barriers. This modification would result in increased showerhead water flow flexibility.
This executive order is emblematic of some of the larger themes in Trump’s political agenda, always focused on deregulation and individual liberties. Supporters laud this approach as a way to spur economic growth through the elimination of unnecessary regulatory burdens.
As the debate around water efficiency standards continues, Trump’s decision to prioritize showerhead pressure underscores his administration’s focus on consumer preferences and regulatory rollback. The impacts of this executive order will likely become evident as states and consumers respond to the changes in water use policies.
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