The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is promoting and enhancing the market for water efficient products through the WaterSense program and proposed water efficiency standards for homes.

This latest draft specification for water-efficient new single-family homes will create standards that new homes must meet to be certified and labeled as WaterSense homes.

“WaterSense is a common sense ethic of efficiency for protecting water, America’s most important liquid asset. WaterSense certified homes will help homeowners save water, money and energy, and communities will have an important new tool for sustainable growth and water efficiency,” said Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.

The specification is designed to ensure sustainable, efficient water use, as well as a high level of performance and customer satisfaction. WaterSense labeled new homes will combine with other water efficient fixtures and practices to reduce water usage by approximately 20 percent.

Homes earning the WaterSense label must meet criteria for indoor water use, outdoor water use, and homeowner education. Third party inspectors will certify that homes meet all the required criteria.

EPA is inviting public comment on the draft specification. The comment period will end July 21. Please send any comments or suggestions to watersense-newhomes@erg.com .

For more information or to obtain a copy of the draft specification for water efficient single-family new homes, go to EPA’s WaterSense webpage.

6/27/2008