WaterSense

Donovan and I discovered the WaterSense label while observing the retail space at Home Depot. You can see it displayed on the bathroom faucet placard above. Some of the promotional materials in the aisle declared that we could use 20% less water by upgrading our fixtures to those that meet the WaterSense criteria. What exactly does the WaterSense label mean?

WaterSense is an EPA-sponsored partnership program launched in 2006 that is meant to promote water efficiency and improve the market for water-efficient products and programs.

"WaterSense brings together local water utilities and governments, product manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and other stakeholders to:
    •    Decrease indoor and outdoor non-agricultural water use through the adoption of more efficient products and practices.
    •    Help consumers make water-efficient choices, including differentiating between products and services in the marketplace and adopting simple daily activities that reduce water use.
    •    Encourage innovation in manufacturing
    •    Establish and standardize rigorous certification criteria that ensure product efficiency, performance, and quality."
(EPA)

So what requirements must products meet to display the WaterSense label? Here's what we found out from EPA's website...

(EPA1, EPA2)

While we observed Home Depot's faucet display, we noticed that almost every single bathroom faucet fixture displayed the WaterSense seal, while no kitchen faucets and few showerheads did.  According to the EPA's website, WaterSense specifications are currently only available for bathroom sink faucets, toilets, flushing urinals, showerheads, and, on a larger scale, new homes. Apparently, kitchen faucets cannot qualify for the WaterSense seal. This begs the question, "Why?"

Our initial assumption was that the low-flow requirement of the WaterSense labeled product would conflict with the fixture's intended functionality. For example, one might need a high-flow water source to wash dishes or quickly fill up large containers in the kitchen. We also understand that many people prefer high-pressure showers to low-pressure ones (See Seinfeld), which would explain why so few showerheads displayed the WaterSense label.

Although the EPA's website did not specifically explain the lack of eligibility for kitchen faucets, the do outline their Specification Development Process:

"EPA considers both technical and market factors when identifying product categories that are good candidates for the WaterSense product specification and labeling process. These evaluation factors include:

    •    Potential for significant water savings on a national level.

    •    Equal or superior product performance compared to conventional models.

    •    State of technology development—product categories that rely on a single, proprietary technology will not be eligible for the label.

    •    Ability to measure and verify water savings and performance.

    •    Cost-effectiveness."
(EPA)

Given this information, we have to assume for the moment that kitchen faucets do not meet one or more of these points. But as we know, assumptions are to be avoided in the design process if at all possible, so we decided to contact the EPA to find out more. We are waiting for a response, so expect an update soon...