Making Sense of WaterSense

Established in 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense program was created to help protect the future of our nation's water supply, by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices. By certifying products that meet the WaterSense specifications, the EPA is now making it easy for customers to choose environmentally friendly products for their home.

WaterSense: What it Means
Generally, bathroom faucets and toilets bearing the WaterSense label will:

  • Perform as well or better than their less efficient counterparts.

  • Be about 20 percent more water-efficient than average products in that category.

  • Provide measurable water savings results.

  • Achieve water efficiency through several technology options.



WaterSense Bathroom Faucets
The US sends nearly 1 trillion gallons of water through our bathroom faucets each year. Being careful to turn off the tap when the water isn't in use does help conserve water, but most people don't know that they can also conserve water when the tap is on, too. WaterSense certified faucets help to reduce your sink's waterflow by 30% or more, without sacrificing performance. By installing a WaterSense labeled bathroom faucet, an average household can save more than 500 gallons of water each year, as well as savings in energy costs from the decreased demand on water heating. If every household in the United States replaced their faucets with ones that are WaterSense certified, the water conserved would add up to over 60 billion gallons per year, and more than $350 million in water utility costs (and an estimated $600 million in energy costs for heating water).

WaterSense Toilets
Toilets represent nearly 30% of an average home's indoor water consumption, and can be a major source of wasted water. Replacing an old toilet with one that bears the WaterSense label can save about 11 gallons per toilet every day, and 4,000 gallons annually. If every toilet in the country made the switch to WaterSense certified, the savings would amount to nearly 2 billion gallons of water per day! Choosing a WaterSense certified toilet is also a smart buy, saving you more than $90 in water utility bills per year - ultimately helping to pay for itself over time. And while many tend to associate lower flow toilets with low performance and poor flushing power, you can flush those worries away with WaterSense labeled toilets. All toilets bearing the WaterSense mark have been certified to meet or exceed national plumbing standards by incorporating new technology and design advancements such as pressure-assisted flushers and modifications to bowl contours.