President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to eliminate federal regulations that restricted water flow in showers, claiming that these rules "stifle everyday life" for Americans and personally make it difficult for him to take care of his "precious hair."
The decision revives an old obsession of the Republican president, who during his first term had already attempted to weaken the energy efficiency laws implemented by the Barack Obama administration.
Then Biden, during his time in the White House, reversed Trump's measures and restored the standards to reduce water and energy consumption in households.
But now, Trump -back in the Oval Office- seeks to reinstate what he calls "common sense" and "freedom of flow," in a personal crusade against what he sees as excessive environmental bureaucracy.
"I enjoy taking a nice shower. I have to be in the shower for 15 minutes until my hair gets wet. It drips down drop by drop. It's ridiculous," Trump stated during the signing ceremony, held in a festive tone at the White House. "It's my hair; it has to be perfect!"
A crusade against efficiency
The executive order mandates the Department of Energy to revoke the regulations that limited water flow to 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) per minute per fixture, a standard that has been in effect since 1992.
Instead, it will allow each individual nozzle to emit the same amount of water, significantly increasing the total volume of showers with multiple outlets.
Showers are not the only focus. It also includes the removal of restrictions on water use in toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers, restoring the rules pushed by Trump during his first term.
In previous posts on his Truth Social network, Trump announced his intention to "reinstate common sense regulations" regarding household water use, accusing Biden of having cancelled policies that, in his view, made life "easier and more American."
Critiques from experts and environmentalists
Reactions have come swiftly. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), an organization that advocates for energy efficiency, labeled the measure as "unnecessary, wasteful, and costly."
According to its director, Andrew deLaski, "most showerheads on the market already offer excellent flow, and consumers are satisfied. There is no real problem to solve."
DeLaski also emphasized that the return to higher flows will not only increase water and electricity bills but will also negatively impact the environment, at a time when parts of the country, especially the west, are facing increasingly severe droughts.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has noted that showers account for about 20% of indoor residential water use and that reducing flow helps to decrease energy consumption as well, since heating water represents one-fifth of energy use in average homes.
A symbolic gesture or a political provocation
For many observers, this new executive order represents more than just a domestic consumption policy: it is a statement of principles of Trumpism, a reaffirmation of its populist, defiant style that directly opposes federal regulations, especially those driven by Democratic governments.
In a gesture that bordered on the cartoonish, Trump insisted that his motivation is practical: "People flush toilets 10, 15 times instead of once. What kind of efficiency is that?" he stated during the event.
These types of statements are not new. Back in 2020, during the pandemic, there was a formal proposal to relax regulations on showerheads. Even then, the initiative was widely mocked by energy experts and comedians, but now it is once again becoming official policy.
Uncertain impact
Although 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 regulations, and many experts predict that this new offensive could have a limited impact on the actual market.
Still, the gesture once again places Trump at the center of a controversy that intertwines politics, the environment, and personal style—paired 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 about water pressure in the shower takes on a surreal tone. But in the Trump era, even showerheads become a political battleground.
Frequently Asked Questions about Donald Trump's decree that eliminates energy efficiency regulations
What changes does Trump's decree introduce regarding the flow of water in showers?
The Trump decree eliminates federal regulations that limited water flow in showers, allowing each individual nozzle to emit up to 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) per minute, which significantly increases the total volume of showers with multiple outlets.
What is Trump's motivation for changing energy efficiency regulations?
Donald Trump argues that energy efficiency regulations, such as those limiting water flow in showers, "suffocate the daily lives" of Americans. In his statements, he has expressed personal concern for the care of his hair, which he claims is affected by insufficient water flow.
What environmental impact could Trump's decree on water use have?
The return to higher water flows could increase water and electricity bills, and negatively impact the environment, especially in areas already facing severe droughts. Water efficiency helps reduce energy consumption, as heating water accounts for a significant portion of energy use in households.
How has the environmental community reacted to Trump's decree?
The environmental community and energy efficiency experts have deemed the measure as "unnecessary, wasteful, and costly". Organizations such as the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) have pointed out that current showerheads already provide an adequate flow and that there is no real problem that justifies the change.
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