Big changes are coming to Canadian bathrooms. For the first time in decades, national flow rate limits for showers and faucets are being updated. Starting July 1, 2026, new rules from Natural Resources Canada will lower how much water comes out of your fixtures — and it’s more than just a minor tweak.
The adjustments affect showers and sinks alike, with reductions of up to 25%. Kitchen faucets stay at their current 8.3 L/min (≈2.2 GPM), but elsewhere the numbers are shifting down. Whether you’re a homeowner, a builder, or just someone who values a great shower, here’s what you need to know before the change takes effect.
The Federal Law Behind the Change
Canada’s new limits aren’t coming out of nowhere—they’re part of a regulatory framework that has been in place for decades, with gradual tightening over time. The rules live in the Energy Efficiency Regulations (SOR/2016-311), administered by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) under the Energy Efficiency Act. These regulations cover dozens of appliances and fixtures, from refrigerators to water heaters to plumbing fittings, and they have been amended multiple times as technology and policy priorities have shifted.
When it comes to showers and faucets, the baseline was set back in the 1990s, mirroring the U.S. federal cap of 2.5 GPM (≈9.5 L/min). That number stayed untouched for years. While some U.S. states—like California, Colorado, and New York—moved ahead with stricter limits (often 1.8 GPM for showers, ≈6.8 L/min), Canada held steady at the original 9.5 L/min standard nationwide.
The pressure to update came in the 2020s, when NRCan launched consultations on aligning Canada’s efficiency rules with international best practices. Industry groups, consumer advocates, and provincial regulators debated the impacts: manufacturers raised concerns about product redesigns and costs, while utilities and environmental groups emphasized water and energy savings. The proposal for tighter shower and faucet standards appeared in the Canada Gazette, Part I (June 22, 2024), opening the door for public comment.
After a year of consultation, the government finalized the changes in Amendment 18 (SOR/2025-110), published April 9, 2025 in the Canada Gazette, Part II. This amendment locks in new maximum flow rates for products manufactured in or imported into Canada on or after July 1, 2026:
- Shower heads: From 9.5 L/min → 7.0 L/min (2.5 GPM → ~1.85 GPM)
- Lavatory faucets: From 8.3 L/min → 5.7 L/min (≈2.2 GPM → 1.5 GPM)
- Kitchen faucets: Unchanged at 8.3 L/min (≈2.2 GPM)
What’s important to note is that these changes don’t affect fixtures already installed in homes or even products already sitting on shelves before the effective date. They apply strictly to what’s manufactured or imported after July 1, 2026. In other words, you’ll still see some 2.5 GPM shower heads in stores for a while as retailers sell through existing stock—but new production will all be built to the tighter standards.
Timeline of Flow Rate Rules in the U.S. and Canada
| Year | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Federal Energy Policy Act sets 2.5 GPM (≈9.5 L/min) cap for shower heads and faucets. | Adopts same 9.5 L/min standard in efficiency regulations. Remains unchanged for decades. |
| 2013 | Obama administration redefines “shower head” as a “nozzle,” capping multi-nozzle units at 2.5 GPM combined. | No change; Canada continues with 9.5 L/min cap. |
| 2020 | Trump administration reverses the 2013 rule: 2.5 GPM allowed per nozzle, effectively raising potential flow in multi-head systems. | Still unchanged; national standard remains 9.5 L/min. |
| 2021 | Biden administration reverses Trump’s 2020 rule, reinstating the 2013 definition: 2.5 GPM combined across all nozzles. | No movement; still at 9.5 L/min. |
| 2025 | Trump issues another executive order, once again reverting to his 2020 definition: 2.5 GPM per nozzle. Read our full breakdown here. | Final rule published in Canada Gazette, Part II (April 9, 2025): Amendment 18 lowers showers to 7.0 L/min and lav faucets to 5.7 L/min, effective 2026. |
| July 1, 2026 | Still at 2.5 GPM federally; stricter 1.8 GPM caps enforced in states like California, Colorado, and New York. |
New Canadian limits take effect: Shower heads ≤7.0 L/min (≈1.85 GPM). Lavatory faucets ≤5.7 L/min (≈1.5 GPM). Kitchen faucets ≤8.3 L/min (≈2.2 GPM, unchanged). |
Faucets: Bathroom and Kitchen
It’s not just showers getting stricter limits—Canada is also tightening faucet standards. Lavatory faucets, the taps you use most often in bathrooms, will drop from 8.3 L/min to 5.7 L/min (≈1.5 GPM). That’s the same benchmark many U.S. WaterSense-labeled faucets already meet, so manufacturers have proven designs ready to go.
Kitchen faucets, by contrast, will remain at 8.3 L/min (≈2.2 GPM). The reasoning is practical: kitchens often require higher volumes of water for tasks like filling pots, rinsing produce, or washing dishes. Keeping the higher allowance ensures homeowners don’t trade away convenience for conservation.
For consumers, this means that everyday bathroom routines—washing hands, brushing teeth, rinsing—will use noticeably less water by default. Over time, the savings add up not just on water bills, but also on energy costs from heating less hot water. The change won’t be dramatic in use, but the aggregate effect across millions of households is significant.
For builders, remodelers, and plumbers, the change is more technical. Project specifications and fixture schedules will need to reference the new maximums, and only products tested and marked at ≤5.7 L/min for lavatory faucets will pass inspections after July 1, 2026. Since many faucet makers already produce models at or below this level, the transition will likely focus more on inventory management and labeling than on product availability.
Why the 25% Cut?
The government’s reasoning is about more than just saving a few drops in the shower. It’s part of a broader efficiency strategy that touches water, wastewater, and energy systems across the country.
Water savings: Every liter that doesn’t flow through a shower head or faucet is a liter that doesn’t need to be drawn, treated, and pumped through municipal systems. In regions that face supply challenges, this adds up to significant conservation benefits over time.
Wastewater savings: What goes down the drain has to be processed. Cutting fixture flow rates also means less volume entering wastewater treatment plants. That reduces strain on infrastructure and lowers the cost and energy intensity of wastewater treatment.
Energy savings: Showers and sinks aren’t just about water—they’re about hot water. By reducing flow, households automatically reduce the volume that needs to be heated. That translates into lower household energy bills and fewer greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating.
Taken together, these are the reasons regulators point to when justifying the new 7.0 L/min cap. Less potable water consumed, less wastewater generated, and less energy burned to heat it all. Whether you notice the difference in the shower or not, the impact is measurable across Canada’s resource systems.
What This Means for Homeowners
Your current fixtures stay put. No one’s coming for your shower head or faucet. The rule applies only to new manufacturing and imports after July 1, 2026.
Retail shelves will shift gradually. Old 2.5 GPM shower heads and 2.2 GPM bathroom faucets won’t vanish overnight. Stores will sell through existing inventory. But once it’s gone, the only options will be 7.0 L/min showers and 5.7 L/min faucets.
Prefer the stronger 2.5 GPM shower? Get one while you can. After July 2026, compliant 2.5 GPM shower heads won’t be manufactured for the Canadian market. Our Flagship 1-Spray Handheld Shower Head (2.5 GPM) is engineered for maximum pressure and durability—your best bet if you want to lock in the full-flow experience before it’s gone.
Maintenance becomes more important. At tighter flow limits, clogged nozzles or aerators will be more noticeable. Regular cleaning keeps performance at its best.
What This Means for Builders and Contractors
Specs and bid docs need updating. Starting in July 2026, projects must cite: “Shower heads ≤ 7.0 L/min, lavatory faucets ≤ 5.7 L/min, kitchen faucets ≤ 8.3 L/min, tested per DOE Appendix S; products shall comply with ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1.”
Expect inspections to check markings. Compliance will be judged by labeled flow rates and certification markings.
Plan inventory ahead. Large projects specced for late 2026 and beyond should use compliant SKUs from the start. Supply chains will begin transitioning in late 2025.
Seinfeld, 1996 → Canada, 2026
If you need to lighten the mood, the Seinfeld black-market shower head scene still lands today. In 1996, it poked fun at America’s 2.5 GPM cap. In 2026, it’ll feel just as relevant north of the border. Fortunately, your options are better than Kramer’s elephant shower.
HammerHead’s Perspective
At HammerHead, we’ve seen regulations come and go. Our mission stays the same: build fixtures to last that perform under any standard. That means solid metal construction and designs that maximize performance, whether at 9.5 L/min today or 7.0 L/min tomorrow.
If you want the full 9.5 L/min experience before the rules change, now’s the time to buy. If you’re preparing for the 2026 shift, know we’ll have durable, high-performance options ready. Check out our Flagship 1-Spray Handheld Shower Head and enjoy full pressure before it’s too late.
FAQ
When do the new Canadian flow rates take effect?
July 1, 2026, for showers and faucets.
What are the new limits?
Showers: ≤ 7.0 L/min (≈1.85 GPM).
Lavatory faucets: ≤ 5.7 L/min (≈1.5 GPM).
Kitchen faucets: ≤ 8.3 L/min (≈2.2 GPM).
Will I have to replace my current fixtures?
No. The rules apply only to new manufacturing/import after July 1, 2026. Existing showers and faucets are unaffected.
Can I still buy a 2.5 GPM shower head after July 2026?
Yes, but only while old stock lasts. Once stores sell through, only 7.0 L/min models will be available in Canada.