Gen Z showers average ten minutes, sparking water-use concerns

A recent Let’s Save Water poll of 2,000 UK residents shows that 52% of people aged 18-29 spend ten minutes or more in the shower each day, consuming up to 150 litres of water per wash. The habit is less common among older cohorts, with 39% of 30-45-year-olds and 28% of those 46-61 reporting similar lengths. Women are more prone to lengthy showers than men.

Environmental scientist Pablo Pereira-Doel of the University of Surrey advises that three minutes suffices for a body wash and an additional two minutes for hair, totaling about five minutes. He explains that many extended showers are taken for relaxation, especially in the evenings, and that soft-water areas and low water pressure can encourage longer use. The findings highlight a paradox for a generation that expresses strong climate anxiety yet engages in water-intensive habits.