commentWaterSense Offers Certification for Houses
Since 2006, the WaterSense program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labeled water-efficient lavatory faucets, toilets, and weather- and sensor-based irrigation systems. EPA now plans to extend the label to whole houses using specifications that will be finalized by the end of 2008. Draft specifications were released May 22; an online forum will be held June 18, and public comments will be accepted until July 21.
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Qualifying houses will be equipped with WaterSense plumbing fixtures as well as Energy Star washing machines and dishwashers (which use less water, as well as less energy, than standard machines), and will use water-efficient plumbing layouts that minimize the time residents must run faucets waiting for hot water—achieving a 20% reduction in water use compared with conventional houses.
Several partners—including manufacturers such as Kohler and Delta, retailers such as Home Depot, municipalities, and nonprofits—have signed on to promote the voluntary program.
More information is available at www.epa.gov/watersense.
This article was produced by BuildingGreen, LLC.- www.buildinggreen.com
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