The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released the draft of its WaterSense specification for showerheads (http://epa.gov/watersense/pp/showerheads.htm).

The WaterSense draft specification for showerheads sets the maximum flow rate at 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) at a flowing pressure of 80 pounds per square inch (psi). As with all WaterSense specifications, the draft showerhead specification includes performance criteria to ensure that consumers will not have to sacrifice water coverage or spray intensity in order to achieve water savings. EPA worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop these criteria so that showerheads can be independently tested and certified for both water efficiency and performance.

Showering accounts for approximately 17% of residential water use in the U.S. The average household could save more than 2,300 gallons per year by installing high-efficiency showerheads. Once this specification is finalized, consumers will be able to renovate their bathrooms with a full suite of WaterSense labeled products including toilets, faucets and showerheads.