Get in the flow, switch to low flow showerheads

Dear EarthTalk: What’s up with all the debate lately as to the flow allowed in new showerheads?

— Bill G., New York, N.Y.

 

The shower is a place of rejuvenation and relaxation for many of us, but it is also a big water hog, accounting for roughly 17% of the average U.S. household’s water usage. We use a lot less water in our showers nowadays thanks to a Clinton-era law mandating new showerheads sold in the U.S. can’t top a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM). While some showerhead manufacturers tried to circumvent the new restrictions by utilizing multiple nozzles, the federal government eventually revised the legislation (in 2013) to limit entire fixtures to 2.5 GPM. 

Dissatisfied with the water pressure in his showers, in December 2020, former President Trump reversed the Obama-era amendment; this restored the federal limit of 2.5 GPM to be applied to individual nozzles instead of the entire fixture. A shower head with three nozzles could then use 7.5 GPM.

The loophole posed detrimental environmental impacts. Americans take about 200 million showers every day. The Alliance of Water Efficiency estimates under Trump’s rule U.S. water usage would increase by 161 billion gallons per year, resulting in more energy use to heat that water, in turn increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), homes that switched out older less efficient showerheads with newer models have saved some 2,700 gallons of water per year, equating to a savings of 330 kilowatt hours of electricity annually — enough to power an entire house for 11 days. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) estimates the average American household could save $500 per year on utility bills after switching to low-flow shower heads.

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more www.emagazine.com. Send questions to:  question@earthtalk.org.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Celebrating agriculture
Photo by Nathan Miller

PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.

Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rev. AJ Stack of St. Thomas announces resignation

The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.

The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.

Keep ReadingShow less
Local and County candidates to hold forum Oct. 24

MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.

The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Keep ReadingShow less
One dead, two hurt in Sharon car crash

The residence at 35 Amenia Union Road in Sharon was damaged after being struck by the Jeep Grand Cherokee around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

SHARON, Conn. — Emergency crews were called Saturday, Oct. 11, to Amenia Union Road in Sharon for a report of a vehicle into a building with entrapment.

Connecticut State Police reported Charles Teti, 62, was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Amenia Union Road when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle veered across the southbound land and exited the roadway where it struck a tree and home. Airbags deployed.

Keep ReadingShow less