WaterSense

WaterSense is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program designed to encourage water efficiency in the United States through the use of a special label on consumer products. It was launched in June, 2006. [ [http://www.epa.gov/watersense/news/archive/2006.htm 2006 | WaterSense | US EPA ] ]

Background

The purpose of the WaterSense program is to make it easy for consumers to differentiate among products that use water. Products that display the WaterSense label must satisfy two requirements. First, WaterSense-labeled products must perform as well or better than their competitors. Second, WaterSense-labeled products must be water efficient, using at least 20 percent less water than their inefficient competitors. [ [http://www.epa.gov/watersense/basic/phil.htm WaterSense Philosophy | WaterSense | US EPA ] ] Achieving both goals communicates to consumers that saving water is easy and doesn't require any change in the way they live.

WaterSense is "not" a regulatory program, but rather a voluntary program. EPA develops specifications for water-efficient products through a public process. If a manufacturer makes a product that meets those specifications, the product is tested by a third party to ensure conformance to EPA’s criteria. If it passes the test, the manufacturer is rewarded with the right to put the WaterSense label on that product. [ [http://www.epa.gov/watersense/partners/join/manu.htm Manufacturers | WaterSense | US EPA ] ]

Products

High-efficiency toilets (HETs), bathroom sink faucets (and accessories), and irrigation professionals who have undergone training by WaterSense-labeled certification programs are already available to consumers.

Partners

To help get products on shelves and spread the word about WaterSense, EPA is recruiting partners. Many types of organizations are eligible to join as WaterSense partners. In addition to manufacturing firms, retailers, and product distributors, the program includes 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. [ [http://www.epa.gov/watersense/partners/index.htm WaterSense Partners | WaterSense | US EPA ] ] Landscape irrigation professionals who are certified by WaterSense-labeled certification programs can also become partners. [ [http://www.epa.gov/watersense/partners/join/cp.htm Landscape Irrigation Professionals | WaterSense | US EPA ] ]

pecifications

EPA’s first specification, released in January, 2007, was written for High-Efficiency Toilets (HETs). Specifications have also been written for bathroom sink faucets and certification programs for irrigation professionals. Specifications for showerheads and irrigation control technologies are currently under development.

Related Links

* [http://www.epa.gov/watersense The Official WaterSense Web Site]
* [http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp Available WaterSense-Labeled Products]

References