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).
