Water-Efficient
Spray Sprinkler

Nozzles

Residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for nearly 8 billion
gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation. Experts estimate that
as much as 50 percent of this water is wasted due to evaporation, wind, runoff,
and overwatering caused by inefficiencies in irrigation methods and systems.

EFFCIENCY THROUGH COVERAGE
A spray sprinkler nozzle is a component of a spray
sprinkler used for landscape irrigation. It is provided in
combination with a spray sprinkler body to distribute
water to the landscape. To help improve irrigation
efficiency and decrease outdoor water waste, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed
a draft specification for spray sprinkler nozzles to earn
the WaterSense label.

Based on field studies, EPA estimates that some
models of spray sprinkler nozzles use approximately 10
percent less water than traditional spray sprinkler
nozzles on the market These nozzles have lower
application rates and higher distribution uniformity
when compared to other models on the market.
Additionally, these models offer matched precipitation
rates, which allows each nozzle, regardless of spray
pattern, to apply the same amount of water within a
specified run time. The draft specification sets water
efficiency and performance criteria centered around
these attributes.

SAVING WATER OUTDOORS
EPA is adding spray sprinkler nozzles to its suite of
WaterSense labeled landscape irrigation products to
help further reduce water waste from residential and
commercial landscape irrigation systems. Along with
WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers and
WaterSense labeled spray sprinkler bodies, labeled
sprinkler nozzles will provide consumers with a variety
of irrigation technology options that can reduce water
waste outdoors and promote plant health.

EPA anticipates that, once the specification is finalized
and these products can earn the WaterSense label,
installing new WaterSense labeled spray sprinkler
nozzles or replacing existing ones throughout an in-
ground irrigation system can save more than 2,400
gallons of water annually on the average-sized
residential landscape. In the future, replacing traditional
nozzles in all irrigation systems across the United
States with these water-efficient nozzles that earn the
WaterSense label could save more than 63 billion
gallons of water each year.

LOOK FOR THE WATERSENSE LABEL IN THE FUTURE!
Once EPA finalizes its specification
for spray sprinkler nozzles,
homeowners and irrigation
professionals can look for
WaterSense labeled nozzles to heip
save water outdoors! For more
information, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/sprav-
sprinkler-nozzles.

PHONE (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) WEBSlTEwww.epa.gov/watersense EMAlLwatersense@epa.gov

A rn/y EPA-832-23-020
OCrVA November 2023


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