President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at rolling back federal regulations that limit water flow in household fixtures like showers, sinks, and dishwashers. The move, announced on April 9, 2025, revives a campaign promise that focuses on increasing consumer choice and reducing government oversight.
The order directly challenges environmental standards first introduced during the Obama administration and later reinstated by President Biden. These standards were designed to conserve water and energy by capping the flow rates of common household appliances. Trump argues that such restrictions are unnecessary and burdensome.
“There’s no water,” Trump remarked during the signing ceremony. “You turn on the shower, and it just drips. You stand there forever trying to wash your hair.”
The executive order calls for the Department of Energy to remove limits on water flow, allowing manufacturers to produce high-pressure showerheads and other fixtures without federal interference. A draft version of the order humorously included the slogan: “Make America’s Showers Great Again.”
Supporters of the order claim it gives consumers more control over their daily routines and removes outdated bureaucratic mandates. “Let the American people decide how powerful their showers should be,” one aide commented.
Critics, however, warn that the move could increase water consumption, undermine conservation efforts, and contribute to long-term environmental harm. Advocacy groups argue that the regulations Trump opposes save billions of gallons of water annually and reduce household utility costs.
The executive order is part of a broader push by Trump to reduce federal regulations across multiple sectors, from appliances to energy policy. While the measure is likely to face legal and political challenges, it highlights the former president’s ongoing commitment to deregulation and populist messaging—even in the bathroom.
