Public Comments Sought, Meeting Held June 18

2008-05-27

The US Environmental Protection Agency has released the draft specification for the water efficient new homes program.  The draft specification incorporates EPA's criteria for product categories earning the WaterSense label (toilets and faucets) and requires many other practices and technologies aimed at bringing water efficiency into the entire home.

The movement to make new homes water-efficient couldn't be happening at a better time.  Residential water use accounts for more than half of publicly supplied water in the United States—more than is supplied to both business and commercial industries combined.  When final, this new specification will provide a starting point for homeowners to be water efficient right out of the gate.  On average, and depending on homeowners' water habits, a WaterSense labeled new home will be designed to use about 20 percent less water per year than other new homes built today.

In addition to WaterSense labeled toilets and faucets, as well as other water-efficient plumbing devices, WaterSense labeled new homes will feature ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers and washing machines. They also will feature a hot water distribution system that decreases how long hot water takes to get to the tap.

WaterSense labeled new homes will be water-efficient outside, too: if an irrigation system is utilized in the home, it must be installed by a WaterSense irrigation partner, and the surrounding landscape should feature native plant species that require minimal watering.

These new specifications can have a significant impact not only on water efficiency but on energy efficiency as well.  EPA expects to finalize its new homes specification at the end of 2008. To download the specification or obtain the latest news about WaterSense New Homes, visit the WaterSense Web site.  EPA will conduct an online public meeting on June 18, 2008. To register for the meeting, please fill out and submit the Water-Efficient Single-Family New Homes Public Meeting Registration Form by June 10, 2008.