Asked by maribel
How does the WaterSense program work?
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WaterSense is a voluntary U.S. EPA program that helps consumers and organizations conserve water and energy by identifying water-efficient products, homes, and services that meet EPA performance and efficiency standards. Here’s how it works:
What WaterSense does
- Creates performance and efficiency specifications for water-using products (toilets, showerheads, faucets, irrigation controllers, etc.), new homes, and professional certification programs.
- Labels products, homes, and programs that meet those specifications so consumers can easily identify efficient, high-performing options.
- Partners with manufacturers, utilities, retailers, builders, plumbers, landscapers, and others to promote and deploy water-saving technologies and practices.
How products and homes get the label
- Specification development: EPA develops detailed specifications through a stakeholder process that balances water savings with acceptable performance.
- Independent testing and certification: Manufacturers have products tested by independent, third‑party certifying bodies to verify they meet WaterSense specifications. For homes and professional programs, recognized certification or training programs verify compliance.
- Licensing and labeling: Once certified, manufacturers/builders/partners enter a licensing agreement with EPA to use the WaterSense label. The program conducts ongoing monitoring and verification to maintain integrity.
- Voluntary participation: WaterSense is not a regulation—participation is voluntary. The label signals a product or service has passed EPA’s performance and efficiency requirements.
Roles of partners
- Utilities and municipalities: run rebate programs, promote WaterSense products, and help educate customers.
- Retailers and manufacturers: market and sell labeled products.
- Builders and certifiers: construct and verify WaterSense-labeled new homes and landscapes.
- Professional certifying bodies: perform independent testing and verification.
Benefits
- Uses less water while maintaining performance (e.g., toilets that flush effectively with less water, smart irrigation controllers that reduce outdoor waste).
- Lowers water and energy bills (less hot water used, less treatment and distribution).
- Helps utilities and communities reduce peak demand and postpone infrastructure costs.
How to use it
- Find labeled products, certified new homes, and certified professionals on the WaterSense website or through local utility programs.
- Look for the WaterSense label when buying fixtures/appliances or hiring landscape/irrigation services.
- Check for local rebates and incentives from utilities for installing WaterSense-labeled products.
In short: EPA defines specs, independent certifiers verify performance, certified products/services carry the WaterSense label, and partners promote adoption—helping save water and energy while ensuring good performance.
What WaterSense does
- Creates performance and efficiency specifications for water-using products (toilets, showerheads, faucets, irrigation controllers, etc.), new homes, and professional certification programs.
- Labels products, homes, and programs that meet those specifications so consumers can easily identify efficient, high-performing options.
- Partners with manufacturers, utilities, retailers, builders, plumbers, landscapers, and others to promote and deploy water-saving technologies and practices.
How products and homes get the label
- Specification development: EPA develops detailed specifications through a stakeholder process that balances water savings with acceptable performance.
- Independent testing and certification: Manufacturers have products tested by independent, third‑party certifying bodies to verify they meet WaterSense specifications. For homes and professional programs, recognized certification or training programs verify compliance.
- Licensing and labeling: Once certified, manufacturers/builders/partners enter a licensing agreement with EPA to use the WaterSense label. The program conducts ongoing monitoring and verification to maintain integrity.
- Voluntary participation: WaterSense is not a regulation—participation is voluntary. The label signals a product or service has passed EPA’s performance and efficiency requirements.
Roles of partners
- Utilities and municipalities: run rebate programs, promote WaterSense products, and help educate customers.
- Retailers and manufacturers: market and sell labeled products.
- Builders and certifiers: construct and verify WaterSense-labeled new homes and landscapes.
- Professional certifying bodies: perform independent testing and verification.
Benefits
- Uses less water while maintaining performance (e.g., toilets that flush effectively with less water, smart irrigation controllers that reduce outdoor waste).
- Lowers water and energy bills (less hot water used, less treatment and distribution).
- Helps utilities and communities reduce peak demand and postpone infrastructure costs.
How to use it
- Find labeled products, certified new homes, and certified professionals on the WaterSense website or through local utility programs.
- Look for the WaterSense label when buying fixtures/appliances or hiring landscape/irrigation services.
- Check for local rebates and incentives from utilities for installing WaterSense-labeled products.
In short: EPA defines specs, independent certifiers verify performance, certified products/services carry the WaterSense label, and partners promote adoption—helping save water and energy while ensuring good performance.
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