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WaterSense
Labeled Homes Program
Draft Homes
Program,
Version 2.0
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft revision to the
WaterSense Labeled Homes Program on April 18, 2019. Learn more about the
proposed changes below.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
EPA is in the process of revising the WaterSense Labeled Homes
Program, including the associated specification and certification
system, to improve the WaterSense labeled homes program that began
in 2009.
Once finalized, the WaterSense Labeled Homes Program, Version 2.0
will:
•	Increase flexibility in meeting WaterSense's technical
requirements without compromising on overall water efficiency or
performance,
•	Improve collaboration with green building certification programs.
•	Allow for easier implementation and certification.
EPA's revised program for homes will utilize the organizational
structures and processes of existing Home Certification
Organizations (HCOs) to ensure effective certification and oversight
occurs for WaterSense labeled homes.
SUMMARY OF REVISED PROGRAM STRUCTURE
To earn the WaterSense label, homes will be required to:
o
o
Adhere to a Mandatory Checklist (shown on the back of this
page), which requires installation of WaterSense labeled
plumbing products and confirmation that the home is free of
visible water leaks.
Be at least 30 percent more water-efficient than typical
new construction. Adhering to a WaterSense Approved
Certification Method (WACM) will ensure the home meets this
requirement.
EPA will be responsible for reviewing and approving an HCO's WACM.
Therefore, to earn the WaterSense label, a home will need to meet the
requirements of the Mandatory Checklist and demonstrate that it
achieves the required water efficiency level (30 percent more efficient
than typical new construction) using an approved WACM.
WaterSense's home certification requirements, such as quality
assurance, verifier training, verification protocols, and reporting, will be
administered through an HCO's existing certification processes.
GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
Home Certification
Organization: Independent
organization responsible for
administering home verification
and certification to the
WaterSense Specification for
Homes, Version 2.0.
WaterSense Approved
Certification Method:
Methodology administered by
the HCO to demonstrate that a
home meets WaterSense's water
efficiency requirement.
Verifier: Individual trained and
authorized by an HCO to verify (or
rate) homes in accordance with
the HCO's WACM.
Designee: Party (such as a
Provider*) to whom the HCO has
delegated specific verification and
certification responsibilities.
*Provider: An organization that commits to hire or
contract with inspectors, train inspectors, oversee
new home inspections, and issue certification
documentation for inspected homes.
PHONE (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) WEBSITE www.epa.gov/watersense EMAIL watersense@epa.gov

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MANDATORY CHECKLIST FOR WATERSENSE LABELED HOMES
Item
Requirements
Confirmed
Leaks
Pressure-loss test on all water supplies detects no
leaks
O Yes O No
Free of visible leaks from hot water delivery system
~ Yes ~ No
Free of visible leaks from toiiet(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 determined through visual assessment after the
showerhead has been activated for one minute
~ Yes ~ No
Free of visible leaks from kitchen and other sink
faucet(s)
D Yes D 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
O Yes ~ No
Showerheads
WaterSense labeled
~ Yes ~ No
WHY A 30 PERCENT WATER SAVINGS REQUIREMENT?
EPA will require homes to be at least 30 percent more water-efficient than typical new construction. EPA has
established this threshold to:
•	Maintain, and in some cases increase, household water savings relative to the current WaterSense labeled
homes program.
•	Establish a benchmark that, while relatively rigorous, is universally achievable regardless of local building
market or climate.
•	Provide an appropriate balance of indoor and outdoor water efficiency measures across all climates.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW?
On April 18, 2019, EPA released for public comment:
•	WaterSense Draft Specification for Homes, Version 2.0
' WaterSense Draft Specification for Homes Supporting Statement, Version 2.0
•	WaterSense Draft Home Certification System, Version 2.0
•	WaterSense Draft Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification Methods, Version 1.0
EPA will determine a roll out schedule for Version 2.0 of the final
specification. In the meantime, the existing WaterSense labeled
homes specification and program structure still apply.
Learn more about the draft WaterSense Labeled Homes Program,
Version 2.0 at www.epa.gov/watersense/homes-specification.
Requests for Feedback
EPA invites interested parties to provide written
comments on the draft specification, certification
system, and technical evaluation process by
emailing watersense-programs@erg.com.

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