Water Sense WaterSenseŽ Draft Specification for Homes Version 2.0 April 18, 2019 ------- Water Sense WaterSenseŽ Draft Specification for Homes WaterSense Draft Specification for Homes 1.0 Scope and Objective This specification establishes the criteria for water-efficient homes (both single-family and multifamily, new and existing construction) under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense program. A home must be built by a WaterSense builder partner and meet all of the criteria outlined in this specification to become a WaterSense labeled home. The intent of this specification is to reduce water usage in residential homes, thereby lowering consumers' utility bills and encouraging water and wastewater infrastructure savings. The EPA's goal is that WaterSense labeled homes will be at least 30 percent more water-efficient than typical new homes. This specification is not intended to contravene state or local codes and requirements. All homes, landscapes and irrigation systems shall meet all applicable national, state and local regulations. In addition, plumbing and irrigation installers shall meet all applicable state and local licensing requirements. 2.0 Technical Requirements 1.1 The home shall meet all requirements indicated in Appendix B: Mandatory Checklist for WaterSense Labeled Homes. 1.2 The home shall be at least 30 percent more water-efficient than typical new construction, determined through compliance with a WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM), as described in the WaterSense Home Certification System, Version 2.0. 3.0 Future Specification Revisions The EPA reserves the right to revise this specification should technological and/or market changes affect its usefulness to consumers, industry or the environment. Industry partners and other interested parties will be notified in advance of anticipated changes. Revisions to the specification will be made following discussions with industry partners and other interested parties. 4.0 Definitions Definitions within the WaterSense Home Certification System, Version 2.0 are included by reference. Version 2.0 - Draft 1 April 18, 2019 ------- Water Sense WaterSenseŽ Draft Specification for Homes Appendix A: Informative Annex for WaterSense Labeling The following requirements must be met before a home may earn the WaterSense label. WaterSense Partnership The homebuilder must have a signed partnership agreement in place with the EPA. Conformity Assessment Conformance to this specification must be certified by a Home Certification Organization (HCO) or HCO designee in accordance with the WaterSense Home Certification System, Version 2.0. Version 2.0 - Draft A-1 April 18, 2019 ------- * epa WaterSenseŽ Draft Specification for Homes WaterSense version 2.0 Appendix B: Mandatory Checklist for WaterSense Labeled Homes The following requirements within the Mandatory Checklist for WaterSense Labeled Homes (Mandatory Checklist) must be met before a home may earn the WaterSense label, regardless of the features used to meet the efficiency requirement specified in Section 2.2 of the WaterSense Specification for Homes, Version 2.0 or the WaterSense Approved Certification Method under which the home is pursuing certification. The Mandatory Checklist is intended to ensure that all WaterSense labeled homes contain a minimum set of features that assure quality performance (the degree to which a home meets the user's expectations relative to these features in typical construction), in addition to efficiency (the amount of water a home uses relative to comparable typical construction). Mandatory Checklist for WaterSense Labeled Homes Item Requirements Confirmed Leaks Pressure-loss test on all water supplies detects no leaks ~ Yes ~ No Free of visible leaks from hot water delivery system ~ Yes ~ No Free of visible leaks from toilet(s), as determined through visual assessment and by conducting a dye tablet test in each toilet to ensure the flapper is not leaking ~ Yes ~ No Free of visible leaks from bathroom faucet(s) ~ Yes ~ No Free of visible leaks from showerhead(s) ~ Yes ~ No Free of visible leaks from bathroom tub faucet(s), i.e., tub spout(s), when showerhead(s) is activated, as determine through visual assessment after showerhead has been activated for one minute ~ Yes ~ No Free of visible leaks from kitchen and other sink faucet(s) ~ Yes ~ No Free of visible leaks from other fixtures or appliances (e.g., clothes washers, dishwashers, hose bibs, irrigation systems) at point of use or point of connection to water distribution system ~ Yes ~ No Toilets WaterSense labeled* ~ Yes ~ No Bathroom sink faucets WaterSense labeled* ~ Yes ~ No Showerheads WaterSense labeled* ~ Yes ~ No * A listing of WaterSense labeled toilets, bathroom sink faucets and showerheads can be found at: www.epa.gov/watersense/product-search. Version 2.0 - Draft B-1 April 18, 2019 ------- |