After a thorough review of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final specification for the WaterSense® labeling program for new, single-family homes, the Irrigation Association welcomes and supports positive changes from earlier drafts.

The final spec:

• Includes a more realistic, 0.65 distribution uniformity audit requirement.
• Requires that irrigation systems be designed or installed and audited by WaterSense-certified professionals.
• Allows turfgrass (in addition to other vegetation) on slopes that exceed four feet of horizontal run per one foot of vertical rise.

IA continues to oppose prescriptive elements in the final specification that lack sound scientific support, including the 40-percent turf limitation. The association will continue to engage WaterSense leadership to ensure advances in industry technologies and practices are incorporated in future iterations.

IA members are encouraged to submit feedback on the new homes spec to
IA Federal Affairs Director John Farner (john@irrigation.org; 703.536.7080).

Launched in 2006, Water Sense is an EPA-sponsored partnership program that seeks to protect the future of our nations water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs and practices.

These professionals are certified through Water Sense labeled programs for their expertise in water-efficient irrigation technology and techniques.

Currently those irrigation professionals certified through the following programs may become a partner with Water Sense.

Irrigation Association Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) program

Irrigation Association Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC) program

Irrigation Association Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) program

Irrigation Association Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA) program

Position your company as and expert in water-saving products and practices. Presently there are only 30 EPA Water Sense Partners in the state of Ohio.