Look for the WaterSense® Label
The folks with the WaterSense® program are coming along quickly. While a few months ago only toilets and faucets could be WaterSense rated, the EPA is expected to come out with WaterSense labeled showerheads in Spring 2010 and has just released the new WaterSense® Single-Family New Home Specification. This is making it much easier for builders and home buyers to support water efficiency across the country and to support the RehydrateUS Initiative of reducing US water usage reduce water consumption in the US by 1 BILLION gallons per day.
WaterSense labeled homes continue the trend of WaterSense products – requiring about a 20% reduction in water consumption than in typical new homes built to current code. While we can easily hit a 40% reduction, the WaterSense standard is a good start, especially for folks who have been hesitant to dive full force into the newest water saving technologies.
Additionally, the homes will be independently inspected and certified by EPA licensed certification providers. These new homes will feature WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures, and go well beyond the RehydrateUS Initiative by requiring ENERGY STAR qualified appliances (if installed), water-efficient landscaping, and an efficient hot water delivery system.
While we need to immediately begin to reduce water consumption in our existing homes and buildings, we also need to implement water efficiency requirements for new construction.
According to the EPA, residential water use currently accounts for more than half of the publicly supplied water in the United States. Building a WaterSense home? Register it on rehydrateus.org!
Tags: water conservation, water in georgia, WaterSense