In a move that underscores his long-standing opposition to federal appliance efficiency standards, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order reversing water flow restrictions on showerheads across the United States. The decision, which the White House framed as an effort to “make America’s showers great again,” has sparked renewed debate over federal regulation, environmental policy, and personal freedoms in the home.
Announced on Wednesday from the Oval Office, the order tasks the Department of Energy with rolling back the 2.5-gallons-per-minute limit on showerheads—an Obama-era water conservation measure introduced under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 but enforced more strictly during the last Democratic administration.
Speaking to reporters while signing the directive, Trump reiterated his personal frustrations with low water pressure in American households. “In my case, I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair,” he quipped. “I have to stand under the shower for 15 minutes until it gets wet. It comes out drip, drip, drip. It’s ridiculous.”
The White House, in a statement, said the move was necessary to “free Americans from excessive regulations that turned a basic household item into a bureaucratic nightmare.” Officials further described the decision as a reversal of the “Obama-Biden war on showers.”
Trump has frequently ridiculed energy efficiency standards for household items—including toilets, dishwashers, and lightbulbs—arguing that they overstep governmental boundaries and create practical inconveniences for consumers.
The executive order directs the Energy Department to review and revise existing guidelines surrounding appliance water and energy use. It opens the door for manufacturers to produce showerheads with higher water flow, potentially exceeding the long-standing 2.5 gallons per minute cap—so long as total output across multiple nozzles remains compliant.
This is not Trump’s first attempt at targeting these regulations. During his presidency, he had initiated a rollback of similar appliance efficiency rules, arguing that easing them would lower costs and improve user satisfaction.
In 2020, during a public event outside the White House, Trump famously stated, “You turn on the shower, if you’re like me, you can’t wash your beautiful hair properly… water doesn’t come out fast enough.” Those comments were met with both amusement and concern across the political spectrum.
Despite Trump’s claims that the order would benefit everyday Americans, environmental advocates and consumer rights organizations have condemned the move, warning of higher water consumption, increased utility bills, and environmental consequences.
According to the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), maintaining flow restrictions has historically saved U.S. consumers billions in energy and water costs. A 2024 ASAP report stated: “Showerhead standards save consumers money on their water and energy bills and help the environment. Testing has repeatedly shown that today’s models can provide an excellent shower.”
The organization also cautioned that any rollbacks could undermine national efforts to address water scarcity and combat climate change.
Critics of the new order argue that the move is less about functional change and more about political signaling to Trump’s voter base. The former president, who is actively campaigning for a return to the White House in the upcoming election cycle, has doubled down on promises to dismantle what he calls the “deep state” regulatory bureaucracy.
While some industry groups support the order, noting the potential for product innovation and consumer choice, legal experts point out that any revision of federal standards is subject to judicial review. Advocacy groups are expected to challenge the order in court, claiming it violates the Environmental Policy Act and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
Throughout his time in office, Trump championed sweeping deregulation across sectors, from environmental protection to financial oversight. His administration rolled back over 100 major environmental rules, including limits on power plant emissions, vehicle fuel efficiency, and water pollution.
Supporters argue these actions reduced regulatory burdens on businesses and sparked economic growth. Opponents counter that the cost to public health, environmental sustainability, and global climate leadership has been steep.
As the order moves forward, the Energy Department is expected to issue a formal rulemaking notice in the coming months, inviting public comment and stakeholder input. Manufacturers may soon begin producing higher-flow showerheads, though implementation could face delays due to expected litigation and bureaucratic hurdles.
For now, the political symbolism of the executive order looms larger than its immediate impact. Whether it becomes a lasting policy or another temporary directive may depend on the outcome of the 2025 U.S. presidential election—and the broader battle over the future of federal regulatory power.