Why water saving showerheads
are not so popular
More and more these days there is talk about the need to conserve water. While a large proportion of the general population has become more familiar with the plight of the worlds dwindling water resources, there have been slow efforts made in implementing actions that can actively contribute to saving water.
There are measures that can be taken in every household to reduce the consumption of water, with changes in bathrooms, laundries and kitchens playing a lead role.
You would think with all the information that is available today, with the widespread publicity directed towards water conservation, that large unrestricted flow shower heads would quickly become an item of the past. The vast majority of homes built before flow restricted devices were available still use unrestricted water flow fixtures.
It is standard practice for houses built these days to be built with water saving fixtures. Amongst these are water saving showerheads. These have been specially designed to provide increased sensation and benefit for use in addition to saving water.
It was hoped that these fixtures would be widely accepted by the general population. While there has been a degree of acceptance from households, the rate of exchange of old showerheads to water saving ones has been disappointing.
Many thought that consumers would take the opportunity to do their part for the environment and change their fixtures. Human nature though has shown that people will only make the changes if forced to or if there is a perception of some direct gain for them.
Some businesses have taken the extraordinary step of making water restricted shower heads available free of charge in exchange for unrestricted shower heads. This offer has gone largely unaccepted. It appears people are more prepared to make water savings in other areas than the shower.
Part of the problem is the poor perception of the water-restricted showerheads in the general community. Complaints for these shower heads include the flow of water is too pressurized and feels too hard on the skin making it painful to shower and that the shower head does not cover the same area that a normal shower head does. There are some bases for these complaints, but there is also some bias in the arguments against water-restricted showerheads.
Water restricted showerheads will naturally feel vastly different to normal showerheads. The outlets for the water are different, the overall surface are of outlets is significantly reduced and water can be directed to flow more quickly and sharply. This is all part of the design of the fixture in order to save water. The aim is not to slow the flow of water but rather reduce the quantity of water used. All of these showerheads can be altered so that the piercing sensation is reduced, but this is often at the expense of overall water dispersion area.
People are creatures of habit. Unless there is a tangible and immediate benefit to be gained from changing current practices, encouraging change can be extremely difficult. There certainly are benefits to be had from introducing water-restricted showerheads into all bathrooms. Until the perceived disadvantages are overcome other water saving devices will be necessary.
Depending on your circumstances there may be a need to have a more mobile shower arrangement. Having a shower unit, such as a hand held shower, where you can control where the water is directed can be beneficial to a range of people.