House Passes SHOWER Act, Bill’s Chances in Senate Unclear
By Kerry Stackpole
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the SHOWER Act (H.R. 4593), a bill that changes the definition of a showerhead for water-efficiency testing purposes. The bill’s backers contend the SHOWER Act would permit more water to run through showerheads. Those opposed see the bill as weakening a proven water- and energy-efficiency standard and increasing Americans’ utility bills.
SHOWER Act would codify Trump’s executive order
Current federal efficiency standards for showerheads state the maximum flow rate is 2.5 gallons per minute measured when all nozzles are flowing at once in a multi-showerhead space.
The first Trump administration changed the definition of a showerhead by allowing each nozzle in a multi-showerhead space to use 2.5 gpm. However, the Biden administration reversed those efforts — and went back to the 2.5 gpm limit to the total water flow of all showerheads/nozzles in a showering space.
In April 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Energy to rescind the Biden-era showerhead rule. If signed into law, the SHOWER Act would codify this order to allow each nozzle/showerhead within a showering space to use 2.5 gpm.
The House bill has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for review. The committee is in the process of developing its own energy-efficiency package.
Other water-efficiency legislation on PMI’s radar
In 2025, the House also introduced the Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act (H.R. 4626), which updates the more than 30-year-old Energy Policy and Conservation Act that regulates how and when energy efficiency standards are established and amended. The bill would provide an opportunity for DOE to revoke an energy conservation standard rather than just amend it. PMI advocated for and was successful in achieving changes to the bill’s language to clarify that manufacturers must be given at least five years to adapt products to the marketplace in the event of revocation or amendment.
Plumbing Manufacturers International member companies are committed to assuring customer satisfaction. Customer experience guides members in research and development, along with creating product innovations compliant with federal and state regulations. PMI will continue to educate policymakers about the industry and the important work plumbing manufacturers do to protect public health and safety.
Kerry Stackpole, IOM, FASAE, CAE, is the CEO/executive director of Plumbing Manufacturers International.
