The American Supply Association (ASA) recently joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) in an appeal to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) related to allowable flow-rate changes for multi-head showers. The ASA is focusing on the subsequent negative affects it will have on business operations for ASA members as well as overall negative water-efficiency consequences.
AWE is dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water that advocates for water-efficient products and programs, and helps encourage and facilitate water conservation.
Under previous DOE rules, showerheads could not be sold in the United States if they released more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. The DOE's new rule changes that regulation so that each nozzle on the showerhead could meet the 2.5-gpm standard. However, showerheads with multiple nozzles bypass the standard and therefore release far more water and consume more energy required to heat the water.
According to Jim Kendzel, ASA Director of Codes and Standards, foreign manufacturers are and have been free to manufacture and distribute showerheads outside the U.S. that exceed the Energy Policy and Conservation Act standards. This puts ASA members at a disadvantage to keep up with the sales of foreign manufacturers.
This is not the first legal appeal attempt against the showerhead rule; Environment America submitted over 10,000 member comments against the rule in October of 2020.