Question

Use the passage to answer the question.
Within three years, two-thirds of the world's population is expected to face water scarcity. Since showering accounts for nearly one-fifth of all residential water use, one way that we all can help to mitigate this problem is by installing low-flow showerheads. While the decreased flow can be something that requires acclimating to, anyone will agree that saving nearly 50 percent off your water bill—as well as saving the planet—is a welcomed change.
A student is developing a counterclaim to this argument. Which counterclaim is the fairest and most effective? (1 point)
The difference between standard and low-flow showerheads is not significant, therefore installing them would not help save water.
The majority of building codes require shower valves that can accommodate changes in system pressure, which low-flow showerheads typically cannot meet.
Many utility boards offer rebates to customers who are willing to install low-flow showerheads, and the costs of these are passed on to other customers.
Anyone who's ever used a low-flow showerhead can tell you that the water takes forever to heat up, so unless you like cold showers, they don't use less water.

Answer 1

"Many utility boards offer rebates to customers who are willing to install low-flow showerheads, and the costs of these are passed on to other customers."

This is the fairest and most effective counterclaim because it raises a plausible, evidence‑based policy objection (rebates shift costs to other ratepayers) rather than relying on unsupported technical or anecdotal claims.