Look for New Labels on Water-saving Faucets

EPA issues a “WaterSense” program for bathroom plumbing fixtures.

Environmental Protection Agency

Look for bathroom faucets that carry a “WaterSense” label, making it easier to find plumbing products that use less water than traditional fixtures.

Consumers will be able to identify high-performance, water-efficient sink faucets for their bathrooms now that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a product-specification for ones that use about 30 percent less water than conventional models.

Water Efficiency. "EPA's WaterSense program just made it easier for consumers and communities to save money, energy, and water one tap at a time," said Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles. "Water efficiency is the wave of the future and WaterSense bathroom faucets will turn a trickle into a stream of savings without sacrificing performance."

Performance Standards. In order to earn the WaterSense label, faucets must be independently tested and certified by a licensed certifying body to meet EPA's water-efficiency and performance criteria. To meet the criteria, faucets and accessories such as aerators, cannot flow at a rate of more than 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm), or less than 0.8 gpm. EPA chose a rate that ensures both water savings and that the faucet flow rate will continue to meet the needs of the user.

Savings. WaterSense-labeled faucets not only save water, but they have the added benefit of saving energy used to treat, pump, and heat water. In fact, letting your faucet run for 5 minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours.

Already on the Market. Consumers can already find the WaterSense label on more than 60 high-efficiency toilets. WaterSense labeled toilets use 20 percent less water than standard models and are independently tested and certified to perform as well as or better than their market counterparts. Retailers are starting to feature WaterSense labeled toilets in their plumbing sections, and bathroom sink faucets should be close behind in 2008.

Largest Use of Water. Bathrooms are, by far, the largest use of water in the home —responsible for about half of total indoor water use. By installing a WaterSense-labeled high-efficiency toilet and faucet or aerator, American homes will see water consumption going down.

For more information on the WaterSense-labeled program, go to: www.epa.gov/watersense/specs/faucet_final.htm.

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