EPA WaterSense

WaterSense®, established in 2006, is a voluntary program sponsored by the USEPA as a by-product of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (otherwise known as the Energy Policy Act, or EPACT92), enacted by the United States Congress in 1992. The initiative was in response to 42 U.S.C. §6295(j)-(k), which addresses the conservation of water supply in the United States.[3] EPACT92 mandated new volume-based efficiency standards for toilets, showerheads and faucets as follows: toilets must be manufactured with a maximum flush volume of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf); showerheads must be manufactured with a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at 80 pound-force per square inch (psi); and faucets must be manufactured with a flow rate no more than 2.5 gpm.[4] These standards were required to take effect in January of 1994, along with flow-rate labelling requirements and recommendations for the establishment of voluntary replacement programs. [5]

In response to these recommendations, and in anticipation of similar impacts provided by the Energy Star program (on water rather than energy), the USEPA launched WaterSense® in 2006. The WaterSense® label was designed to be voluntarily, sought out by manufacturers, and requires that water fixtures use at least 20% less than the federally mandated standards as established by EPACT92.[3] Using the efficiency standards established by EPACT92 as a baseline, the USEPA instituted the following flow-rate guidelines for WaterSense®: toilets must be manufactured with a maximum flush volume of 1.28 gpf; showerheads must have a maximum flow-rate of 2.0 gpm at 80 psi; and bathroom faucets must be manufactured with a low-flow volume rate of 1.5 gpm.[4] Low-flow toilets were the first products to receive the WaterSense® label in 2007, followed by bathroom sink faucets in October of that same year.[6]

The objective of the program is to educate consumers on water conservation and to promote the WaterSense® label. The program was originally designed to promote consumer products (namely, low-flow water fixtures). The program, however, has since expanded to the certification of homes and accreditation of irrigation professionals.[3] The USEPA issued revised draft specifications for landscape irrigation controllers in January 2011.[7] Specifications for pre-rinse spray valves and water softeners started development as of 2011.[8][9] In June of 2014, WaterSense® began the certification of homes, designed to use 20% less water than standard new construction, as well as the accreditation of irrigation professionals for the installation, maintenance, design and auditing of systems.[10] There are no federal standards for irrigation equipment in the U.S., so the USEPA uses references average system efficiency to establish a baseline and volume-based guidelines. The home certification program, called the WaterSense® "New Home Specification" program, specifies criteria for residential indoor and outdoor water use, as well as homeowner education.[3] Version 1.2 of "New Home Specification" can be viewed here. [11]

Between the years of 2006 and 2017, the USEPA has projected that its water conservation program has saved approximately 2.7 trillion gallons of water and 367 billion kilowatt hours of electricity from power required to distribute and handle water.[10] Although EPACT92 was the impetus for this initiative, the WaterSense® program currently operates under a number of congressional authorities, such as the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.[3][10]

In 2016, a number of proposals were introduced by the 114th Congress to expand the WaterSense® , but no consensus was made.[12] In 2018, the 115th Congress made amendments to the program in Section 4306 of America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018.[10] The USEPA had no legal authority over WaterSense® or its specifications until the enactment of the AWIA. Section 4306 of AWIA mandates that these specifications "must reduce water use, decrease strain on water systems, conserve energy, and preserve water resources."[13] The AWIA now requires the USEPA to enforce these specifications, although the program is still voluntary, and to update them every six years. In addition to the previously existing parameters of the program, the Act also encourages the USEPA to expand the program beyond water conservation to promote technology for the treatment, reuse and recycling of non-potable water.[13]

Poster promoting WaterSense showerheads

Consumer products, such as residential and commercial toilets; bathroom faucets (and accessories); urinals; showerheads; irrigation controllers; and spray sprinkler bodies are eligible for receiving the WaterSense® label.[10] Residential new construction is also able to receive the WaterSense® "New Home Specification" certification and irrigation professionals who have undergone training by WaterSense®-labeled certification program can receive accreditation.[14]

Products that seek the WaterSense® label must:

• Enter preliminary screening process by WaterSense® staff;
• Be at least 20% more efficient, without any performance variances (compared to their conventional equivalent);
• Have potential for national impact (favored over regionally-available products);
• Be evaluated for ease of installation by consumer, as well as cost-effectiveness;[15]
• Undergo third-part certification process paid for by the manufacturer.[3]

Note: Products do not require recertification, but 15% of all labeled products are audited annually by the USEPA.[10]

New homes that seek certification must meet guidelines within three criteria: "Indoor Water Efficiency"; "Outdoor Water Efficiency"; and "Homeowner or Resident and Building Management Education."[16] Criteria include:

• "Indoor Water Efficiency" needs to meet criteria for leaks, service pressure and indoor water fixtures and appliances;
• "Outdoor Water Efficiency" needs to meet criteria for landscape design, pools/spas and irrigation systems;
• "Homeowner or Resident and Building Management Education" criteria differ among single-family and multi-family homes, but requires some form of an operating manual.[16]

The USEPA administers educational material and exams to allow irrigation professionals to WaterSense® accreditation. Exams must be renewed every two years to maintain credit.[14]

USEPA recruits partners in several different categories including:

• Utilities, communities, state and local governments
• Manufacturers
• Retailers and distributors
• Organizations that provide qualified certification programs
• Certified professionals
• Non-profit organizations and trade associations.[17]

Partner responsibilities include:

• Promoting WaterSense as well as water efficiency
• Adhering to WaterSense partner logo guidelines
• Providing annual data
• Granting USEPA rights to use partner name on the Agency website or alongside other program promotional efforts.[17]

WaterSense also utilizes promotional partners who endorse and publicize the program among their constituents. Promotional partners include utilities, state and local governments, trade associations, and other non-governmental organizations. Landscape irrigation professionals who are certified by WaterSense-labeled certification programs can also become partners.[17]

The USEPA requires that all partners provide data on their distribution and activities regarding WaterSense® product sales and outreach. Lawrence Berkeley National Library (LBNL) uses this data to create a National Water Savings (NWS) model to track water and energy savings. According to this model, consumers have saved 1.5 trillion gallons of water and $32.6 billion dollars on utility bills.[18] LBNL used this data to create an arithmetic model to estimate the impacts that WaterSense® has had on water conservation in the United States. The model is the difference between the federally-mandated efficiency baseline for water fixtures and the efficiency of WaterSense® labeled products that have been sold annually. This model is also responsible for determining the financial impacts of water savings for U.S. consumers.[18]

• WaterSense at the EPA