A new independent Max Performance (MaP) research report has examined whether reduced shower flow rates have resulted in people taking longer showers to compensate.

The report compares results from the 1999 and 2016 North American Residential End-Uses Studies of Water, which were undertaken by Aquacraft, to examine how showering habits have changed and the differences in water savings.

The MaP report found shower-based water savings were only 0.5 gallons per capita per day between 1999 and 2016 despite improvements in showerhead technology regarding flow rates. The authors of the study believe this is because the shower savings may be somewhat under-reported and may actually be as high as 1.5 gallons per capita per day.

The report indicated a clear trend towards lower flow showerheads that have a flow rate of 2.0gpm or less (the rate considered ‘efficient’). In 1999 only 44% of installed showerheads had flow rates of 2.0gpm compared to 56% in 2016.

While the report identified a higher percentage of installed low flow rate showerheads in 2016 compared to 1999, it found people only marginally increased the duration of their shower to compensate for these lower flow rates.

The results of the report show that water savings can be achieved using lower flow rate showerheads and those that meet customers’ expectations for performance will provide the best opportunity to maximise these savings.

Click here to view the full report.