 Comprehensive
List of all Frequent Questions
General Questions
Certification Programs for Irrigation Professionals Questions
Product Certification and Labeling Questions
General
Manufacturers
WaterSense Product Certification System
High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) Questions
High-Efficiency Bathroom Sink Faucet Questions
Flushing Urinals Questions
General Questions
Why did EPA create WaterSense?
EPA realized that managing water supplies was becoming an increasingly
important issue to local markets around the country. Through this
national program, local water utilities, product manufacturers,
and retailers will work with EPA to encourage the use of water-efficient
products and practices among consumer and commercial audiences.
Why does the United States need a water-efficiency program?
Water is a finite resource. Between 70 and 75 percent of the Earth's
surface is covered with water, but only 1 percent of that is available
for human use. While both population and demand on freshwater resources
are increasing, supply remains constant—there is the same amount
of water now as there was 2 billion years ago. Water efficiency
helps preserve our water supply for future generations.
What is the goal of WaterSense?
The main goal of the program is to decrease indoor and outdoor nonagricultural
water use through more efficient products, equipment, and programs.
With its recognizable label, WaterSense helps consumers easily identify
water-efficient products in the marketplace while ensuring product
performance and encouraging innovation in manufacturing.
How will success be measured?
EPA will estimate gallons of water saved by individuals and organizations
purchasing water-efficient products instead of those that use more
water. EPA will also examine the savings that result from using
irrigation professionals that are certified in water-efficient installation
and maintenance practices and the increase in awareness of water-efficient
products and practices.
What products will be included in the WaterSense program?
Irrigation professionals and residential plumbing products are among
the first categories in the program. EPA plans to research several
options to expand product areas in the future, including additional
indoor and outdoor home products, as well as commercial products.
How will water-efficient products and programs be labeled/recognized?
EPA developed the WaterSense label to differentiate products in
the marketplace that meet EPA criteria for efficiency and performance,
as well as programs that meet EPA criteria for water efficiency.
The label will appear on product cartons and packaging, be adhered
directly to the product, be featured on in-store displays, and be
found in manufacturer literature and Web sites. EPA also maintains
a registry of labeled products on the WaterSense Web site.
How can I find more information about product certification
and labeling?
Products bearing the WaterSense label are certified to conform with
the relevant specification by an EPA licensed certifying body. Manufacturers
apply directly to the licensed certifying body for certification
and to obtain the WaterSense label.
There are several key steps involved with using the WaterSense
label. Please review the Product Certification
and Labeling Frequent Questions below or the WaterSense
Product Certification and Labeling fact sheet, or visit the
WaterSense product certification
page for more information.
What are the WaterSense label and logos?
WaterSense has two different labels and two different logos that
have specific purposes. For more information, please visit the What
are the WaterSense Label and Logos? page.
How are specifications for products determined?
For each product under consideration, EPA conducts extensive market
research to analyze potential specifications. EPA develops specifications
with stakeholder input and prepares draft efficiency and performance
criteria as an open process, soliciting input from stakeholders
to ensure that the most appropriate criteria for each product category
is included. Once EPA finalizes the draft or final specification , it is available
for public comment. EPA will refine the draft or final specifications based
on the comments and feedback, and then will release them again in
either draft or final form. The number of rounds of public review
will depend on the product schedule, and the nature and extent of
comments on the prior draft.
How does EPA ensure that products meet the criteria?
Products are independently certified by a third party to confirm
that they meet EPA's criteria for efficiency and performance. Before
a product receives the WaterSense label, an EPA-licensed
certifying body must certify that it conforms to the relevant
WaterSense product specification.
Labeled products are also subject to ongoing surveillance to ensure
that they continue to conform to the relevant WaterSense specification.
Effective as of April 2009, EPA has instituted its own product
certification system. This system specifies the requirements
for the product certification process and establishes a mechanism
for EPA-approved accreditation organizations to approve and oversee
WaterSense-related product certifications in accordance with international
guidelines.
Why did EPA choose third-party certification instead of
self-certification?
EPA chose independent certification by a third party to confirm
that the product meets the WaterSense efficiency and performance
criteria.
Is there an opportunity for public comments on proposed
specifications?
Yes. The program will strive to use a process similar to ENERGY
STAR to solicit public comments on proposed specifications. There
will be an open workshop 4-6 weeks after the draft or final specification is released to receive comments. EPA will also receive written comments
from those unable to attend to meeting.
How does EPA coordinate with local water utilities?
Local water utilities have been very supportive in the development
of the program. Many utilities already have efforts in place to
increase the water efficiency of residential and commercial irrigation
systems. Utilities are encouraged to incorporate WaterSense into
their local water-efficiency and conservation efforts.
How is WaterSense similar to ENERGY
STAR? How is WaterSense different from ENERGY STAR?
WaterSense is similar to ENERGY STAR in that both programs work
toward market enhancement and public recognition through the labeling
of products and programs. One of the main differences between these
two programs is that WaterSense requires third-party certification
of its products and services, ensuring that they comply with WaterSense's
specifications. Another major difference is that WaterSense focuses
on water-using products and services that don't require energy to
run, solely focusing on their water-efficient properties. ENERGY
STAR includes water-using products that conserve energy.
What more can I do to save water for future generations?
EPA conducts a number of activities to encourage consumers and organizations
to use less water. Information on how to use water efficiently is
posted on our Web site and available on our fact sheets and other
publications. This new program adds the product focus to our ongoing
activities.
Is water supply an issue everywhere in the United States?
There are many markets in the United States that already face water
shortages, and the number of markets facing this issue is projected
to grow in the future. A Government Accountability Office survey
of water managers across the country showed that 36 states were
anticipating local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013,
even under nondrought conditions. Water efficiency is a much more
cost-effective tool to help local markets manage water supply issues
than developing new sources.
How can water efficiency help local communities?
Water supply infrastructure is a major cost for most local markets
across the United States. In 2002, an EPA report identified a $224
billion gap in planned infrastructure investment as compared to
needs. Water efficiency is one key way that local communities can
help manage their infrastructure needs.
Which areas of the country have the largest water supply
challenges?
Water use varies greatly depending on geographic location and season,
largely as a result of differences in climate. For instance, water
use needs tend to be higher in the West and Southwest than in the
East or Midwest. However, water and wastewater infrastructure systems
across the country are being challenged by population growth and
aging components. Water efficiency can lessen the stress on these
systems and extend their useful life. Further complicating the issue
of water supply and availability is the fact that population growth
is greatest in states that have more limited water resources.
Certification Programs for Irrigation
Professionals Questions
How did EPA set the final specifications for certification
programs for irrigation professionals?
EPA set the final specifications for certification programs for
irrigation professionals to address both efficient irrigation system
components and services. This will help customers identify professional
service providers that embrace and encourage the use of water-efficient
practices to enhance performance and efficiency.
What certification programs are eligible for the WaterSense
label?
WaterSense has recognized certification programs for irrigation
professionals that meet the specification criteria. The specifications
address certification programs in three categories:
- Irrigation Auditor: Applies to programs that certify irrigation
professionals who assess the proper functioning of existing irrigation
systems, perform water audits, and recommend watering schedules.
- Irrigation Installation and Maintenance Professional: Applies
to programs that certify irrigation professionals who install
new irrigation systems and/or repair and maintain existing irrigation
systems.
- Irrigation Designer: Applies to programs that certify irrigation
professionals who develop the design of new irrigation systems
and/or modifications to existing irrigation systems.
How can certification programs for irrigation professionals
use the label?
In order to use the label, the certifying organization must have
signed a partnership agreement with EPA and have applied for and
been accepted to use the label for its certification program(s).
Can certified irrigation professionals use the WaterSense
label?
Individuals who become certified under a WaterSense labeled certification
program are not allowed to use the WaterSense label directly on
their business cards, vehicles, promotional materials, etc. However,
professionals certified under WaterSense labeled programs that provide
services consistent with WaterSense specifications, can become WaterSense
partners and use the WaterSense partner logo to promote their certification.
Product Certification and Labeling Questions
General
Why does EPA require third-party certification?
EPA wants to ensure the WaterSense program's integrity and sustainability.
EPA also wants to ensure consumer confidence in the products that
bear the WaterSense label.
Licensed certifying bodies, independent of EPA and the product manufacturers,
test products for both efficiency and performance, certify product
conformance to WaterSense specifications, authorize use of the WaterSense
label, and conduct periodic market surveillance. Third-party certification
is the framework already established in the United States to independently
verify that products in the marketplace meet specifications and
standards.
Will certification apply to all product categories?
EPA will require all WaterSense labeled products to be certified
by a licensed certifying body. EPA may, however, adjust the specific
certification requirements as appropriate for individual product
categories.
Are there licensed certifying bodies that can certify all products?
There are licensed certifying
bodies that are currently accredited to certify a majority of
the products for which EPA is interested in developing specifications.
EPA anticipates that more licensed certifying bodies will obtain
accreditation to certify products as additional WaterSense specifications
are developed.
How can stakeholders provide input on the specification development
and certification processes?
EPA is interested in input from all stakeholders in the specification
development and certification processes. EPA has established a list
to notify interested persons when various programmatic elements
are developed and released for public input. Please visit the Contact
Us page to be added to the WaterSense e-mail and mailing list;
remember to specify your interest in becoming part of the specification
and certification development processes in the "Message"
field.
How does EPA maintain the integrity of the WaterSense label?
EPA maintains the integrity of the WaterSense label through several
mechanisms:
- Through the independent third-party certification process, licensed
product certifying bodies provide surveillance for the proper
use of the WaterSense label for the products that they certify—typically
through periodic store audits or warehouse inspections.
- WaterSense encourages its partners to be vigilant and report
any suspected label misuse to EPA. If you see a product you believe
to be improperly labeled, please contact the WaterSense Helpline
at (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367), or e-mail
us.
- WaterSense encourages partners to submit print and Web materials
for pre-press review. EPA provides prompt review and ensures that
the use of the label is consistent with WaterSense guidelines.
- WaterSense conducts periodic reviews of partner Web sites to
ensure that the label is used properly.
- WaterSense conducts periodic Google image searches to detect
misuse of the label by non-partners. When label misuse occurs
by a WaterSense partner, EPA contacts the relevant licensed certifying
body, which handles necessary corrective actions. If a non-partner
misuses the label, EPA engages in corrective action directly with
the infringing party. In all instances, EPA strives to resolve
matters quickly and fairly in order to preserve public confidence
in the WaterSense program.
Manufacturers
How can my product earn the WaterSense label?
The first step toward obtaining the WaterSense label is for the
product manufacturer to enter into a WaterSense partnership agreement
with EPA. Manufacturers can sign a WaterSense partnership agreement
with EPA once a draft or final specification has been released for a product
they produce or manufacture under a private label. Under the partnership
agreement, manufacturers will have 12 months to obtain certification
for a product that conforms to the relevant WaterSense specification.
The second step is to have one of EPA's licensed
certifying bodies certify your product for conformance to the
relevant WaterSense specification.
Manufacturers apply directly to the licensed certifying body for
certification. Once your product is certified, the licensed certifying
body will provide you with artwork for the WaterSense label, including
the name of the licensed certifying body. You must use this label
in accordance with the WaterSense
label use guidelines.
Which certifying bodies can certify my products?
A listing of EPA licensed certifying
bodies is posted on the WaterSense Web site or may be obtained
from the WaterSense Helpline at (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367). Certifying
bodies are approved for each individual specification, so be sure
to choose one that is licensed to the WaterSense specification relevant
to your products. Products may be certified by any licensed certifying
body listed for the relevant WaterSense specification.
What is generally involved in product certification?
Product certification involves product testing and an assessment
of the production process and quality management system, both initially
and on an ongoing basis. This may include factory visits, periodic
product retesting, or other approaches to monitor the product's
continued conformance to WaterSense specification requirements.
The general certification requirements applicable to all product
categories are described in the WaterSense
product certification system. EPA will evaluate and specify
additional certification details for each new product category as
part of the product specification development process.
How will consumers know that my product has been certified?
Only products certified to WaterSense specifications are allowed
to bear the WaterSense
label. In addition, EPA maintains a Web
registry of WaterSense labeled products. To get your products
included on this list you must submit to EPA a new certified
product notification form for toilets or for bathroom
sink faucets for each certified model. EPA will verify the product
certification information with the licensed certifying body that
conducted the certification. This process, from notification to
listing on the WaterSense Web site, may take up to two weeks.
What is the cost of certification to product manufacturers?
The cost structure for product certification is determined by the
licensed certifying bodies. EPA anticipates that the testing fee
and cost for certification of products, which may include opening
a new certification file or adding models to an existing file, will
be in line with the current cost structure to have plumbing products
certified by an accredited certifying body.
How will this certification process impact smaller manufacturers
of products?
In the development of its product certification system, EPA considered
the impact on smaller manufacturers and worked to balance the cost
and burden of the process with the rigor the program needs to maintain
the WaterSense label's integrity.
While there will be some cost impact on all manufacturers to submit
a product for certification, the strength of the WaterSense label
should help products stand out in the marketplace. This should be
of particular value to small business partners.
How long will the process take from the time I submit my product
for certification until the time when I can apply the WaterSense
label to products?
The exact process and timing will be determined by the licensed
certifying body conducting the certification. Licensed certifying
bodies recognize that time to market is an important consideration
and will compete for a manufacturer's business in this area. EPA
anticipates that the time to achieve product certification to WaterSense
specifications will be similar to the time it currently takes to
get plumbing products certified to American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) and other relevant standards.
I am an overseas manufacturer looking to get my products
certified to WaterSense specifications. Will there be certifying
bodies in my country that can conduct the certification?
WaterSense anticipates that at least some of its licensed
certifying bodies will have offices worldwide with the capability
to conduct product certifications for WaterSense. Please keep in
mind, however, that to be eligible for the WaterSense label, you
must sell or intend to sell products in the United States that meet
the relevant WaterSense specification
within one year of partnership with EPA. Please contact one or more
of EPA's licensed certifying bodies to determine if they certify
products in your area.
WaterSense Product Certification System
What is the product certification system and how is it different
than the interim certification process?
Under the interim certification
process, EPA relied on current American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) accredited certifying bodies to certify products in accordance
with their existing certification schemes. Now, under the WaterSense
product certification system, EPA has specified the minimum requirements
that licensed certifying bodies must follow when certifying products
for WaterSense. In addition, an EPA-approved accreditation body
accredits certifying bodies specifically for their capability and
competence to meet these requirements. The WaterSense product certification
system enables EPA to:
- Ensure consistent application of its minimum product certification
requirements.
- Establish uniformity in the certifying body accreditation process,
while making the process open to all qualified accreditation organizations.
- Provide fully transparent criteria for product certification
and the accreditation of product certifying bodies.
How does this new product certification system affect manufacturers
whose products are currently in the draft or notice of intent stage
of specification development?
As new final specifications are developed for WaterSense, the certification
and labeling process will occur in accordance with the final WaterSense
product certification system. WaterSense will work with potential
certifying bodies and accreditation bodies in advance of the release
of any new final specification to ensure that there are licensed
certifying bodies available to certify applicable products.
My organization certifies products. How can I become a licensed
certifying body for WaterSense?
The first step toward becoming
a licensed certifying body is to seek accreditation from an EPA-approved
accreditation body in accordance with the final WaterSense
product certification system for one or more of the WaterSense
product specifications. Upon accreditation, please contact the
WaterSense Helpline for application
procedures and to obtain a copy of the licensing agreement for product
certifying bodies.
My organization tests products. How can I participate in the
WaterSense product certification process?
WaterSense licenses product certifying bodies, not individual testing
facilities or laboratories. Certifying bodies certify products in
accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 65, General requirements for bodies
operating product certification systems, which includes product
testing and conducting ongoing surveillance of product conformity.
If your organization tests products in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025,
General requirements for the competence of calibration and testing
laboratories, a licensed certifying body may subcontract testing
services to you as part of the product certification process. EPA
is not involved in this subcontracting arrangement; it must be made
between the licensed certifying body and laboratory testing facility.
Under this new certification system, is my irrigation program
eligible for certification?
The WaterSense product certification
system applies only to the procedures and requirements for product
certification. It does not apply to or address programs for the
certification of irrigation programs or professionals. Information
related to professional certification programs may be found on the
WaterSense Web site under Landscape
Irrigation Services.
Under this new certification system, is my product eligible
for certification and the WaterSense label?
This certification system does not impact which products are eligible
for the WaterSense label; this is dictated by the release of final
WaterSense product specifications for a particular product or product
category. Specifications are developed after careful evaluation
of technical and market factors that influence the viability of
the WaterSense label for the product. For more information on the
specification development process, please visit the Specification
Development Process page on the WaterSense Web site. To view
the product specifications that the program has released and those
product categories that are currently eligible for certification
and the WaterSense label, please visit the compendium of WaterSense
product specifications.
What kind of accreditation are you offering and how can
I get it?
EPA does not offer accreditation. EPA does require its third-party
licensed certifying bodies to be accredited to the Water Sense certification
system. In order to be eligible for accreditation, your organization
must be a product certifying body that meets the minimum requirements
as outlined in the WaterSense
product certification system. These requirements include operation
in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 65 and International Accreditation
Forum (IAF) Guidance on the Application of (ISO/IEC) Guide 65 and
the capability and competence to certify products in accordance
with one or more of the individual WaterSense
product specifications. If your organization meets these minimum
requirements, please contact the WaterSense
Helpline for application procedures and to obtain a copy of
the licensing agreement for product certifying bodies.
High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) Questions
How did EPA set the specification for toilets?
The specification is based on the widely accepted Uniform
North American Requirements (UNAR) (PDF) (16 pp, 2.6MB, About
PDF) 
for toilets and EPA industry and product research, in collaboration
with external stakeholders. The EPA specification sets the water
use level at 1.28 gallons per flush or less, includes design requirements,
and has a higher requirement for flush performance to ensure optimal
user satisfaction.
How was UNAR developed?
Uniform North American Requirements (UNAR) were developed by a collaboration
of water utilities to establish a standard for toilets in rebate
programs that would perform to customer expectations, save water
and maintain water savings over the long term.
What percentage of toilets currently qualify under the
specification?
The most recent list of toilets in the market shows approximately
249 models. There are currently more than 100 models, or about 40
percent, that might meet the HET specification.
How does the specification ensure that these toilets will
perform as expected?
The specification includes a performance requirement. A collaboration
of U.S. and Canadian water utilities developed a flush performance
test protocol called the Maximum
Performance (MaP) test
to provide a uniform measure of toilet performance. Requirements
for this test protocol have been included in the HET specification.
How will EPA verify the testing?
Products will be independently certified by a third party to confirm
that the product meets EPA criteria for efficiency and performance.
Are toilets that meet the WaterSense specification more
expensive than other toilets?
No. MaP testing results have shown no correlation between price
and performance. Prices for toilets can range from less than $100
to more than $1,000. Much of the variability in price is due to
style, not functional design. Toilets that could potentially bear
the WaterSense label are currently in the low to middle range of
about $200. There is a lot of competitive pressure on manufacturers
to lower prices; therefore, it can be expected that as more toilets
become certified, the average price should fall.
Will the installation of HETs lead
to drainline and sewer problems due to the reduced water flows?
Since the introduction of the 1.6 gallons per flush toilet in the
early 1990s, questions have been raised about whether sufficient
water exists to move solid wastes in the building drainlines and
in the municipal sewer system. To date, there has been no evidence
to show that waste transport problems occur because of the use of
the original low-flow toilets. The introduction of HETs in the late
1990s precipitated the same concerns. As a result, a collaboration
of water utilities sponsored a full laboratory study to address
the issue. The drainline study, completed in 2004, concluded that
HETs flushing with as little as 1 gallon provide sufficient water
in residential applications to move the waste from the fixtures
to the sewer.
With regard to municipal sewer lines, the transport of waste has
not proven to be an issue of concern in those areas with a concentration
of high-efficiency toilets. Supplementary wastewater flows from
other end-uses are always sufficient to move solids through the
system. Furthermore, some wastewater utilities are co-funding and
sponsoring the toilet replacement programs and other water efficiency
initiatives of the water utilities for the very purpose of reducing
sewer flows to their treatment plants.
High-Efficiency Bathroom Sink Faucet Questions
How was the final specification
for high-efficiency faucets developed?
All WaterSense specifications are developed through a market research,
technical review and stakeholder input process. In developing the
specification, EPA collaborated with interested parties representing
industry, water utilities, and water-efficiency advocacy groups.
EPA industry and product research, as well the American Society
of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A112.18.1/Canadian Standards Association
(CSA) B125.1 standard for Plumbing Supply Fittings, form the basis
for the WaterSense bathroom sink faucet specification.
What are the details of the
specification?
The WaterSense specification sets the maximum flow rate of faucets
and aerators at 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm), tested at a flowing
pressure of 60 pounds per square inch (psi, common water pressure
in most households). The specification also includes a minimum flow
rate of 0.8 gpm, tested at a flowing pressure of 20 psi, to ensure
performance across a variety of different household conditions.
Who will certify that products
meet the specification?
All WaterSense labeled, high-efficiency bathroom sink faucets and
aerators must be tested and certified by an independent, EPA-approved
licensed certifying body. Manufacturers can use the WaterSense label
in conjunction with faucets and aerators that are certified by licensed
product certifying bodies to conform to WaterSense criteria for
both performance and efficiency. Only faucets and aerators that
are certified through this process can bear the WaterSense label.
What types of products can
earn the WaterSense label under this specification?
Provided the products meet the WaterSense specification, bathroom
sink faucets and aerators (or other faucet accessories, such as
laminar flow devices) can be certified to meet EPA criteria and
labeled under this specification. This specification applies to
bathroom sink faucets or aerators intended for private use, such
as in residences or in private restrooms in hotels and hospitals.
Faucets that are not eligible to earn the WaterSense label under
this specification include metering faucets (those that dispense
a pre-determined volume of water or operate in the "on"
position for a pre-determined period of time); bathroom sink faucets
intended for public use (those found in office buildings, restaurants,
airports, and stadium restrooms, etc.); and residential kitchen
sink faucets.
What is a faucet accessory?
A faucet accessory is a device that can be added to or removed from
a bathroom sink faucet (typically, it screws onto the tip of the
faucet spout).
Aerators control flow rate either through flow restriction (narrowing
the opening through which the water is discharged from the faucet)
or flow regulation (adapting the width of the opening through which
the water is discharged from the faucet based upon fluctuations
in water pressure to maintain a constant flow rate).
Are bathroom sink faucets that
meet the WaterSense specification more expensive than other bathroom
sink faucets?
Consumers can purchase WaterSense labeled aerators separately from
bathroom sink faucets, and can easily replace existing accessories
that do not meet the WaterSense specification.
Aerators can be purchased at retail locations and typically cost
only a few dollars. Most high-efficiency faucet accessories that
restrict flow are no more expensive that their conventional counterparts.
However, pressure compensating faucet accessories that are designed
to provide and maintain a constant flow rate despite fluctuations
in water pressure typically cost a few dollars more.
If WaterSense labeled aerators are
so easy to install, what would prevent their removal?
The water efficiency benefits of aerators, in addition to their
low cost and relative ease of installation, outweigh the risk of
their removal. Aerators typically cost no more than a few dollars,
and using WaterSense labeled faucets or aerators could reduce a
household's faucet water use by more than 500 gallons annually.
Additionally, performance is a major component of all WaterSense
specifications. The faucet specification accounts for user satisfaction
in different situations, including low water pressure, so removal
should not be a major issue.
Flushing Urinals Questions
What is the new WaterSense specification?
The new WaterSense specification applies to flushing urinals. Flushing
urinals that meet the final WaterSense specification will use no
more than 0.5 gallons per flush (gpf). This is one half of
the 1.0 gallon per flush (gpf) federal standard for urinals set
by the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Of the 12 million urinals
currently in use in the United States, up to 65% are inefficient
units with flush volumes exceeding the 1.0 gpf federal standard,
some by as much as 3.0 gpf. On average, a urinal gets flushed
about 20 times a day; therefore a business will save 4,000 gallons
or more per year for every WaterSense labeled urinal it installs.
How was the final specification for
high-efficiency flushing urinals developed?
All WaterSense specifications are developed through a process
that includes market research, technical review, and stakeholder input.
In developing the specification, EPA collaborated with interested parties
representing industry, water utilities, and water-efficiency advocacy groups.
EPA industry and product research, as well nationally recognized performance
standards developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME),
the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the International Association
of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), and the American Society
of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), form the basis for the WaterSense flushing
urinal specification. These standards include:
- ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 Ceramic Plumbing Fixtures
- ASME A112.19.3/CSA B45.4 Stainless Steel Plumbing Fixtures
- IAPMO Z124.9 Plastic Urinal Fixtures
- ASSE #1037 Performance Requirements for Pressurized Flushing Devices (Flushometers) for Plumbing Fixtures
What types of products can earn the WaterSense label under this specification?
All flushing urinals—meaning those that use water to convey
liquid waste through a trap seal into a gravity drainage system—can
earn the WaterSense label. This includes both the urinal fixture,
which can be made of ceramic (vitreous china), plastic, or stainless
steel, and the pressurized (flushometer valve) or gravity tank-type
flushing device. Non-water urinals, composting urinals, and
retrofit devices or other aftermarket retrofit systems are not included
in the scope of this specification and cannot earn the WaterSense
label at this time.
Why are non-water urinals not included
in this specification?
Non-water urinals, although often very similar in appearance to
flushing urinals, are different in their design, components, and
functionality (i.e., how they remove waste). In addition, non-water
urinals are subject to significantly different performance standards
than flushing urinals. These standards are designed to ensure a
high level of performance for non-water urinals, and WaterSense
has no basis to propose improvements to these existing standards
at this time. As a result, WaterSense has no means to help purchasers
distinguish among these products based on either their efficiency
or performance.
Although the specification
does not apply to non-water urinals, it is not WaterSense’s
intention to preclude or prevent their use in water efficiency,
green building, or other conservation programs. Non-water urinals
continue to be compatible with and a key component of, the U.S.
Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) and other green building programs. WaterSense encourages
designers, program administrators, and facility managers to consider
all available technologies when making purchasing decisions
concerning water-using products, including non-water urinals. The
specification and WaterSense label are simply one of many tools
available to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
If decision-makers decide to specify and install water-using urinals,
then WaterSense encourages them to choose products with the WaterSense
label.
What are the details of the
specification?
The WaterSense specification sets the maximum flush volume for flushing
urinals at 0.5 gallons per flush (gpf), when tested in accordance
with national performance standards (i.e., ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1
[ceramic urinals], ASME A112.19.3/CSA B45.4 [stainless steel urinals],
IAPMO Z124.9 [plastic urinals], ASSE #1037 [pressurized flushing
devices]). The specification also includes three requirements to
ensure the long-term performance and water savings of these high-efficiency
devices. These are:
- The primary actuator must be a non-hold-open design to limit the amount
of water released per flush, regardless of how long the
actuator is held opened.
- The device’s flush volume can be adjustable, but only to within ± 0.1
gpf of its rated flush volume. This will allow for field
adjustments that may be necessary depending on building water pressure
or other onsite conditions.
- The device should be designed to prohibit the
interchangeability of replaceable or maintainable parts
with parts that would cause it to exceed its rated flush volume.
Who will certify that products meet
the specification?
All WaterSense labeled flushing urinals must be tested and certified
by an independent, EPA-licensed certifying body. Manufacturers can
use the WaterSense label to identify flushing urinal fixtures and/or
flushing devices that are certified to conform to WaterSense criteria
for both performance and efficiency. Only products certified through
this process can bear the WaterSense label.
If flushing devices and urinal
fixtures are labeled and sold separately, how will purchasers know
which components should be used together to ensure water efficiency
and performance?
EPA will maintain a registry of WaterSense labeled products that
are certified and labeled in accordance with the flushing urinal
specification. Within this registry, EPA will provide tools that
will help purchasers identify flushing devices and urinal fixtures
that have the same rated flush volume in order to ensure that the
complete system meets the requirements of this specification for
water efficiency and performance. In addition, EPA requires manufacturers
to supply similar information in their product documentation to
facilitate matching of parts that, when used together, will meet
the requirements of the specification.
Are urinals that meet the WaterSense
specification more expensive than other urinals?
No. Our product research has found that high-efficiency urinal fixtures
and flushing devices are no more expensive than their standard (1.0
gpf) counterparts. The average price of a new high-efficiency or
standard urinal fixture is about $350 and the average cost for a
high-efficiency or standard pressurized flushing device (flushometer
valve) is approximately $200. Because there is very little to no
cost difference between high-efficiency flushing urinals and standard
flushing urinals, installing high-efficiency models in new construction
or as part of the natural replacement process is cost-effective
with immediate payback in water cost savings.
How much water will a WaterSense
labeled flushing urinal save the average facility?
Replacing an older, inefficient 1.5 gpf flushing urinal with a 0.5
gpf WaterSense labeled flushing urinal can save as much as 4,600
gallons of water per year. This assumes that the average urinal
is flushed approximately 18 times per day and is in use 260 days
per year. Replacing that same older urinal with a WaterSense labeled
flushing urinal with a 0.25 or 0.125 gpf flush volume could save
more than 5,800 and 6,400 gallons of water per year per urinal,
respectively.
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