The US government will no longer define what a showerhead is
What happened
The US Department of Energy has repealed the legal definition of a showerhead. This means manufacturers can now sell showerheads that spray more water than previously allowed.
Why it matters
For years, US rules limited showerheads to 2.5 gallons per minute. This change removes that limit, allowing manufacturers to design and sell showerheads with higher flow rates. It effectively reverses a long-standing efficiency standard for water use in homes.
The signal
Watch for new showerhead models appearing on the market that advertise higher flow rates, and whether states or local governments introduce their own water efficiency standards to counter this federal change.