The War Between Bathtubs and Showers

California is undergoing a water crisis as I write this article. The worldwide water supply has been dwindling and is challenging the growing demand for clean water. Not only do we need this water but so does wildlife and all vegetation. It is literally what keeps the world green. Heeding the warnings, people are now being encouraged to save and conserve where they can. It's no wonder, then, that homeowners are having trouble deciding which option is better for them and the environment: bathtub or shower. Let's analyze the information, shall we?

The Bathtub
First in the ring and first on the scene in 3300 BC India, where copper water pipes were discovered beneath a palace, bathtubs were introduced with the basic intentions of cleaning oneself in mind. The Romans are widely known for using community bathtubs to encourage their citizens to bathe daily. They used marble for the tubs, lead and bronze for the pipes to create a complex sewage system. Eventually, design and ergonomics gained importance and in 1883, the Kohler Company began producing the first cast-iron bathtubs which would later breed the modern idea of the clawfoot bathtub.

The leisure associated with bathtubs is a long standing phenomenon as the soaking in hot water implies a tried and true relaxation technique. Coming home from work and being able to sit in your tub for an hour just washing your worries away is a desirable thing. This idea, in addition to their antique beauty, is a major benefit of owning a tub. However, the biggest drawback is that there is much water used and wasted. Customary bathtubs need around 35-40 gallons to fill. There are larger whirlpool tubs that require up to 80 gallons for a full bath.

The Shower
Standing a commanding 6 feet tall with sturdy glass doors built for an athlete, the shower enters the ring. Oftentimes, when people wake up in the morning, they will head straight into the shower before they start the rest of their day. Unlike taking a bath, where it is customarily a long and drawn-out activity, showers are quick and easy. With different options for shower heads above, there is an increasing sense of leisure in the shower as well. People can feel completely rejeuvenated with a session with a crisp shower. Probably the best feature showers have going for them is the amount of water it conserves. Showers have an average flow of about 4 gallons per minute and therefore uses 20 gallons in 5 minutes. Assuming you use half hot and half cold water and your shower is kept pretty short, a shower would save you around 5 gallons a day.

It appears that both the shower and bathtub expend nearly the same amount of water and they are tied. However, there are other benefits that are mutually exclusive to each technique. Whichever one you opt for, still keep in mind the amount of water you're using and perhaps wasting because the world needs you to.