Water Conserving Showerhead and Associated Methods of Use

A showerhead for controlling a flow of water from a water source into an active shower area, the showerhead comprising:

• a water inlet assembly coupling the showerhead to the water source;
• a housing;
• a plurality of nozzles for directing the water exiting the showerhead toward the active shower area;
• a motion sensor positioned on a face of the showerhead confronting the active shower area to detect the presence of a user in the active shower area;
• an electrically activated ball valve configurable between open and closed positions in which the open position allows for the flow of water through the showerhead toward the active shower area and the closed position inhibits the flow of water through the showerhead;
• a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the water;
• a temperature indicator to display the temperature of the water to the user;
• a turbine generator to produce electrical power for operation of the showerhead;
• and
• a printed circuit board controller to receive a signal from the sensor and move the valve to and between the open and closed positions in response to the signal to thereby conserve water when the user is absent from the active shower area.

A method for controlling a flow of water from a showerhead toward an active shower area, the method comprising:

• coupling the showerhead to a water source;
• detecting a temperature of the water flowing from the showerhead;
• detecting the presence of a user in the active shower area;
• stopping the flow of water from the showerhead by closing a valve in the showerhead when a desired temperature of the water is reached and the user is absent from the active shower area;
• opening the valve when the user is detected in the active shower area;
• and
• stopping the flow of water from the showerhead by closing the valve when the user exits the active shower area.