Water Efficiency

The degree to which water efficiency is an important attribute for you is also likely to depend on your geographic region. Areas such as the Southwest, central California, and agricultural areas of the Midwest are regions where states and municipalities engage in significant efforts to encourage water conservation. In many of these places, water is rationed at least during certain times of the year and the price you pay for water is likely to be connected to the volume of consumption.

The WaterSense Program is another EPA-sponsored initiative that enables consumers to identify products that will use at least 20 percent less water than standard products without sacrificing performance. Products eligible to earn the label include bathroom faucets, showerheads, toilets and urinals, and weather-based irrigation controllers. In addition, new homes can earn the label whereby a third party rater verifies that the home will be water efficient both indoors and out. For a product to earn the WaterSense label, it must—

• Perform as well or better than its less efficient counterparts.
• Be 20 percent more water efficient than average products in that category.
• Realize water savings on a national level.
• Provide measurable water savings results.
• Achieve water efficiency through several technology options.
• Be effectively differentiated by the WaterSense label.
• Obtain independent, third party certification.

Even in regions of the country where water scarcity is not as large a concern, water quality may be. Rural and urban areas alike have sources of water contamination, including pesticide/chemical runoff, sediment and runoff near large cities and busy roadways, dumps and landfills, some types of energy production, and a host of other consequences of human activities. Often water use rights are also a political issue and demands, such as drinking water versus agricultural uses versus energy production, each compete for the limited resource. Numerous examples show that water is piped long distances from the source to areas with greater population or demand. So, regardless of where your building is located, it is important to give consideration to water-conserving plumbing fixtures, faucets, and outdoor use.