WaterSense" and
                                         Landscape Water  Use:
                                                 What's  Next?
                                   EPA
                                   WaterSense
          Commercial and residential outdoor water use in
          the United States accounts for more than seven
          billion gallons of water each day, mainly for
    landscape irrigation. As much as half of that is lost or
    wasted due to evaporation, wind, or improper irriga-
    tion design, installation, maintenance, and schedul-
    ing. An efficient irrigation system requires not only
    water-efficient products, but also proper design,
    installation, and maintenance.

    To address these issues and improve water efficiency
    in landscapes, WaterSense is now labeling certifica-
    tion programs for irrigation system designers, installa-
    tion/maintenance professionals, and auditors. In the
    coming months, in addition to signing partnership
    agreements with certifying organizations and review-
    ing their applications for the WaterSense label, EPA
    will be inviting irrigation professionals certified
    through WaterSense labeled programs to become
    WaterSense partners.

    WaterSense recognizes that land-
    scape irrigation is only one part of
    saving water outdoors. It is equally
    important to consider aspects such
    as water-efficient landscape design,
    water-efficient plant palettes, and
    landscape professional certification programs. EPA
    plans to evaluate other professional certifications that
    impact landscape water use in the near future.
Future  Opportunities for Product
Labeling

WaterSense is also conducting research on multiple
water-efficient irrigation technologies. The first prod-
uct categories for labeling will be irrigation control
technology and soil moisture sensors.

Advanced irrigation control technology uses local
weather and landscape conditions to tailor irrigation
schedules to actual conditions on the site or historical
weather data. Instead of irrigating according to a pre-
set schedule, advanced irrigation controllers allow
irrigation to more closely match the water require-
ments of plants.

Soil moisture sensors increase the water efficiency of
irrigation systems by allowing them to operate only
when irrigation is actually needed. Soil moisture sen-
sors are placed beneath the soil surface to measure
the amount of moisture in the soil and water when
plants need it.

With these new technologies we have the potential
to greatly reduce water use across the country with-
out sacrificing our beautiful landscapes. A WaterSense
label on such products will make it easy for con-
sumers to identify the most efficient technologies
and know that not only are they helping save the
environment but also saving money on utility  bills.
j Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper.
                                       October 2006
                                    EPA-832-F-06-032

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