When it comes to showerheads, some Americans don't go with the (low) flow

Americans are adopting some green behaviors, but according to this recent Wall Street Journal report, they aren't going with the flow when it comes to water-conserving showerheads.

That news jibes with a survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center on green behavior, which found that 83 percent of Americans run their dishwasher only with full loads but only 27 percent of Americans have installed a low-flow showerhead.

The WSJ story notes that many Americans are removing flow restrictors from showerheads to circumvent the 2.5-gallon-per-minute (gpm) federal limit on showerheads. There's also a reference to the celebrated Seinfeld episode in which Kramer and Newman buy black-market unrestricted showerheads. Other Americans are getting around the federal regulations by installing multiple-fixture shower towers that use more water even with each showerhead meeting federal standards.

Almost four in five states anticipate water shortages by 2013, which could lead to steeper rates and penalties for excessive use by consumers in those states. Enduring drought conditions are leading municipalities to weigh tighter rules. Florida's Miami-Dade County is capping showerheads flow rate at 1.5 gpm, and residents of San Antonio will face a 2-gpm restriction when they shower.

You can save water without having to endure a feeble flow. Here's how:

• Buy a quality low-flow fixture. Our August 2009 report on showerheads found models that meet the 2.5-gpm flow rate and provide a satisfying shower; one American Standard model also stood out for its stimulating flow (ratings are available to subscribers). Check out available incentives for low-flow toilets and faucet accessories.

• Use a model with a shutoff button. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-commissioned study showed that retrofitting a home with a 1.75-gpm showerhead or a 2.5-gpm handheld unit with a shutoff button led to a 28 percent reduction in water use.

• Take showers instead of baths. And limit your shower to 5 minutes or less. Several water companies are even offering customers free shower timers.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential Information: Remember, if you install a multihead shower tower, it could tax your water heater. See our water-heater calculator and reports on storage-tank, tankless, and solar water heaters for more details. And if you're concerned about news reports on a harmful bacteria that can build up in some showerheads, read this blog post.

Comments

[Steve]

I agree with Kramer and most Americans. Do we still have green golf courses all over the U.S.? Will wealthy people always have green lawns. Will all the fountains across America be turned off so that their evaporative waste will cease? Will a clean car be a sign of wastefulness? Will the Feds fource us to have 2-inch deep bath tubs. Not only do I want the government out of my bedroom, but I also want them out of my bathroom.

[Daniella]

Cities apparently are going to have to assign a cop on the beat to patrol our showers, 45 gallon bathtubs, and jacuzzis. How much water do people save with the low flush toilets when much of the time they require double or triple flushing? The restrictions are silly when there's no governmental mandates on quality and any shyster with a factory in China can scam the masses.