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Mandatory Checklist Requirement: There must be no detected leaks from any water-using fixtures,
appliances, or equipment. Compliance shall be verified through pressure-loss testing and visual
inspection.
UNDERSTAND
The average household's leaks can account for nearly
10,000 gallons of water wasted per year. Common types
of leaks found in homes are from worn toilet flappers,
dripping faucets, poor connections to hot and cold water
lines, leaking irrigation system components, and other
leaking valves. However, leaks can occur in new
construction as well, and proactively identifying and fixing
leaks leads to more satisfied customers and a more water-
efficient home.
To be eligible to receive the WaterSenseฎ label, homes
must be verified to be free of water leaks at the time of
certification.
BUILD
•	CONFIRM valves and hoses for water-using fixtures and
appliances are installed correctly throughout the home.
Use plumber's tape when making threaded connections,
such as with showerheads or some tub spouts.
•	CONDUCT a pressure-loss test on all water supplies to
check for leaks before the verification (see the Pressure-
Loss Test Protocol at right}. This will offer the opportunity
to address leaks proactively and ensure the home is free
of leaks before the verifier's visit.
•	REPAIR leaks when they are identified outdoors and work
with the irrigation installer to commission the system and
replace leaky sections,
VERIFY
•	VERIFY the following requirements as part of the
Mandatory Checklist for WaterSense Labeled Homes:
Pressure-Loss Test Protocol
Attach a pressure gauge to the cold-
water faucet for the washing machine
or a hose bibb. Turn on the water to
the fully open position and take a
pressure reading.
Turn off the water to the home or unit
using the home's shutoff valve.
The pressure should remain constant
after 5 to 10 minutes.
If the pressure drops, this indicates
that the home has a leak.
Work with the builder to find and fix
any leaks before proceeding with the
home verification.
If the home or multifamily building has
a separate water supply for irrigation,
check both the indoor and outdoor
water supply lines for leaks.
Toilet Leak Test Protocol
1.	Drop a dye tablet or a few drops of
food coloring into each toilet tank.
2.	Wait 5 to 10 minutes without flushing.
3.	Check the toilet to see if the color
leaked from the tank into the bowl.
4.	If color is observed in the bowl, the
flapper or flush valve seal is leaking
and needs to be replaced.
Note: Flush the toilet within 5 to 10
minutes after inserting the dye to avoid
staining.
Pressure-loss test on all water supplies detects no
leaks (see Pressure-Loss Test Protocol box above).
No visible leaks from toilet(s), as determined through visual assessment and by conducting a dye test
in each toilet to ensure the flapper or flush valve seal is not leaking (see Toilet Leak Test Protocol at
right).
No visible leaks from bathroom faucets.

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o No visible leaks from showerheads.
o No visible leaks from bathroom tub spouts when
showerhead(s) are activated, as determined through
visual assessment after showerheads have been
activated for one minute (see instructions at right),
o No visible leaks from kitchen and other sink faucet(s).
o No visible leaks from other fixtures or appliances (e.g.,
water heaters, clothes washers, dishwashers, hose
bibbs, irrigation systems) at the point of use or point of
connection to the water distribution system.
ENSURE tight connections to hoses and valves that
Bathroom Tub Faucets Leak Test
1.	For all bathtub/showerhead
combinations, turn on the water and
divert flow so it is flowing only through
the showerhead.
2.	Wait one minute.
3.	Observe whether a continual stream
of water seepage (more than a few
drips) comes from the tub spout while
the shower is flowing.
connect to fixtures and appliances.
CHECK in-ground irrigation systems for broken sprinklers or nozzles spraying outside the landscaped
area. Consider having the irrigation system designed, installed, and/or audited by a professional
certified by a WaterSense labeled program. Find a certified professional in your area with WaterSense's
Find a Pro tool at www.epa.gov/watersense/find-pro.
*NOTE: Consult with the Home Certification Organization for specific verification protocols.
Where to Look for Leaks
Check all of the fixtures and appliances listed in the table below to look for leaks, and visit the
WaterSense Fix a Leak Week web page at www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week to learn
more about identifying and fixing leaks.
Fixture or Appliance
What to Check
Water heater
• Supply connections
Toilets
•	Angle valve
•	Tank overflow tube
Showers
•	Showerhead outlet
•	Shower arm and threaded connection
•	Tub faucet/spout
Bathroom and kitchen faucets
•	Faucet outlet
•	Hot and cold water connection hoses and
valves
Dishwashers
• Visible supply connections and valves
Clothes washers
• Visible supply connections and valves
Irrigation systems
•	Landscape where irrigation is installed
•	At each sprinkler head/emitter
•	At the irrigation shut-off valve
Hose bibbs
• Hose bibb outlet
Other (e.g., water softeners,
• Visible water supply connections and valves
drinking water treatment systems,

evaporative cooling systems)

This technical fact sheet is part of EPA's Technical Reference Manual for
WaterSense Labeled Homes. For the full document and other tools and	EPA-832-F-23-016
resources for homes, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/tools-and-resources.	July 2023

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