Beyond the water flow rate: water pressure and smart timers impact shower efficiency

England is projected to face a water supply shortfall of 4 billion litres daily by 2050, mostly due to population growth and increasing climate-driven droughts and flooding. The Environment Act 2021 mandates significant water usage reductions, targeting a decrease for households from the current 144 litres per person/day to 110, and a 15% reduction for businesses. Enhancing water efficiency in showers is crucial, given their high water consumption, energy use and associated carbon emissions.

Water consumption in 290 showers was covertly monitored for 39 weeks, capturing 86,421 showering events.

Increased water pressure was strongly associated with reduced water use - an effect that can be amplified even further by installing smart timers to inform users of their shower duration.