WHAT MAKES WATERSENSE?

May 5, 2015

Do you know about ENERGY STAR products? Of course, you do… created in 1992, the blue label with its signature star has been helping consumers identify devices that use 20-30% less energy than federal standards (you may also see the label in the lower right corner of the yellow EnergyGuide label that you find on appliances showing the annual cost of operation compared to other models). Well, did you know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a water equivalent to ENERGY STAR? WaterSense is a partnership program by the EPA that seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply.

The program helps consumers make smart water choices that save money and maintain high environmental standards. Products that have earned the WaterSense label have been independent, third-party tested and certified to be at least 20 percent more efficient with exceptional performance.

Upgrading to more efficient WaterSense labeled products can help us to save billions of gallons of water in the country every year. Something as simple as twisting on a WaterSense labeled aerator and upgrading to a WaterSense labeled faucet could save a household 11,000 gallons over the life of the faucet.

Learn more about WaterSense and what you can do to help make every drop count. Always “look for” the WaterSense label when purchasing products.


Leeann Yacuel is a Water Sustainability Analyst with SRP, one of 20 Water – Use It Wisely partners to offer water-saving advice and programs.