UTAH'S DROUGHT

Every Drop Counts: The Water Saving Benefits Of Low-Flow Shower Heads 

Jun 28, 2021, 10:15 PM | Updated: 11:36 pm

MIDVALE, Utah — 2020 was the driest year on record for Utah, leaving 90% of the state in an extreme drought. This week, the KSL Investigators are exploring simple ways to save water that go beyond how we water our lawns because every drop counts.  

One way to reduce our daily water consumption is to swap out our old shower head with one designed to be low-flow. 

Josh Meyers coaches cross fit at the Factum Gym in Midvale, and though he was running others through a workout, he was also working up a sweat. 

“I’m hot. I’m sweaty. I’m sticky,” he said. “And the first thing I want to do is shower.” 

Meyers hits the showers several times every day, and it has allowed him to become a shower connoisseur of sorts. 

“What makes a good shower?” the KSL Investigators asked him. 

“Space in the shower, but post that – the flow rate of the water,” he answered. 

Uh oh. If that is what Meyers really relishes about his showers, he may regret agreeing to help us with a little experiment. 

At his home, we presented him with a brand-new, eco-friendly $40 shower head, purchased at a big box hardware store. Rather than the two and a half gallons per minute that his shower currently pumps out, our replacement shower head lets through 1.75 gallons of water every minute.

While Meyers took a shower to test out the new low-flow shower head, the KSL Investigators did a little math. 

Most standard shower heads that we found on store shelves boast 2.5 gallons per minute. Our low-flow option is 1.75 gallons per minute.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the average shower time in the United States is 8 minutes. In that time, the low-flow shower head will put out 14 gallons, while the standard shower head sends out 20 gallons. That is a savings of six gallons with every shower using the low-flow. 

That alone is substantial, but if we zoom out and say all 3.206 million Utahns shower once per day, and if each Utahn used a similar low-flow shower head, the water savings would climb to over 19.2 million gallons every single day. 

Aside from conservation, we found another reason you may want to cut back on how much water flows from your shower to the drain — it could save your skin. 

“I think a low-flow is just perfect for the skin,” said Dr. Rebekah Clifford, a dermatologist with Granger Medical Clinic. 

Clifford said many folks shower wrong, washing away an important oil our skin uses as a protective barrier. Without it, we could wind up with itchy skin and rashes. 

“If you are taking excessively long showers, showering a lot of times per day, you’re scrubbing at your skin, taking really hot showers – all of that strips away that natural oil,” she explained. 

After trying out the new low-flow shower head, we got Meyers’ take on low-flow versus a standard shower head. 

“The flow rate was very obviously lower, and I noticed it was a little difficult to get clean in some nooks and crannies, but if I’m saving some money and I’m saving some water, I say, ‘Why not?'” 

If you have an idea for small ways we can save water, and you’d like us to take an investigative look to uncover just how much we would save, let us know about it. Call (385) 707-6153 or you can email matt@ksl.com

KSL 5 TV Live

Utah's Drought

Falls in the Ogden Waterfall Canyon Trail...

Mike Anderson

Heavy runoff restoring scenery after years of drought

While the heavy runoff has brought some flood damage, it has also restored some of the scenery we've lost over several years of drought.

2 days ago

FILE - People attend a news conference on Lake Mead at Hoover Dam, April 11, 2023, near Boulder Cit...

Associated Press

Arizona, California and Nevada propose water cuts from Colorado River to avert forced cuts

Arizona, California and Nevada on Monday proposed a deal to significantly cut their water use from the drought-stricken Colorado River over the next three years.

11 days ago

Willard Bay spillway...

Mike Anderson

The Great Salt Lake getting billions of gallons of water

The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District opened up a spillway Thursday that is now releasing billions of gallons of water into the Great Salt Lake.

22 days ago

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during a press conference at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District's...

Carter Williams

Utah launches statewide turf grass buyback program as it seeks water-use reformation

This year's record snowpack has drastically reduced a drought that really began to impact Utah by the end of spring three years ago.

1 month ago

(Tanner Siegworth/KSL TV)...

Alex Cabrero

South end of Great Salt Lake up nearly 4 feet since berm raised in February

Most Utahns know the Great Salt Lake is in danger as the effects of the drought shrunk the lake and water levels reached a historic low in 2022.

1 month ago

Draining Lake Powell...

Carter Williams, KSL.com and Matt Johnson, KSL TV

Lake Powell could rise 50 to 90 feet over the next few months

Federal water managers say they believe Lake Powell will rise anywhere between 50 and 90 feet this spring and summer after the nation’s second-largest reservoir dropped to its all-time low again earlier this year.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

Brunette guy in headphones playing games on his desktop computer...

PC Laptops

Looking For a New Computer? Use This Desktop Buying Guide

Choosing a new desktop computer can come with a lot of questions, so we created this desktop buying guide.

Portrait of happy boy playing and splashing water in the swimming pool...

Get Out Pass

Family Fun Activities in Utah You Have to Try This Summer

These family fun activities will entertain you all summer, so if you ever feel stuck in a rut wondering what to do, refer to this guide!

Woman IT specialist in elegant suit working on notebook computer in data center next to server rack...

Les Olson

Your Complete Guide to Outsourcing IT Services

This guide covers everything you need to know about the different benefits of outsourcing IT services to meet your small business needs.

diverse group of friends dance outside under string lights...

Lighting Design

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Lighting

Read for the most frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting to help narrow the search for your home.

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Every Drop Counts: The Water Saving Benefits Of Low-Flow Shower Heads