WaterSense Data Needs
In order to develop a new specification, EPA needs enough data
to demonstrate the product category meets WaterSense evaluation
factors. Of greatest importance is how to measure and verify
water savings for that product, and what makes up "good"
performance.
In some product categories, these data are readily available. For
example, many plumbing products have defined test protocols and
have been independently tested for efficiency and performance for
a number of years, resulting in a large body of available data.
On the contrary, other product categories have limited experience
with independent testing and/or lack independent studies to demonstrate
efficiency or performance.
The process of defining performance attributes and identifying
protocols to test those attributes includes answering the following
questions:
- What performance attributes are important?
- Are there defined testing methods?
- Based on actual performance test data, do the testing methods
produce consistent and reproducible results within an independent
laboratory?
Once performance attributes are defined and a protocol is identified,
performance levels must be set. This process includes answering
the following questions based on performance test data and/or independent
studies:
- What is the existing range of product performance?
- Are there any unintended or negative impacts caused by anticipated
specification requirements?
If any of these questions cannot be answered, the data is insufficient
for specification development. EPA is committed to working to fill
such data gaps through research sponsored by interested parties
(please see table below).
Table of Specific Data Needs
| Product |
Description of Research Need |
| Showerheads |
WaterSense is collaborating with the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers Joint Harmonization Task Group to develop
specification criteria. Remaining work includes:
- Determining if the performance protocols are repeatable
and reproducible across independent laboratory settings.
- Determining range of performance of existing showerheads.
- Correlating performance protocols to user satisfaction.
|
If you can provide data or support development of data in these
areas, please contact the helpline at (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367)
or e-mail watersense@epa.gov.
|
