Revised Draft Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Specification

EPA released a draft specification for water-efficient single-family new homes on May 22, 2008. Based on substantial feedback and significant revisions, EPA released a revised draft specification on May 8, 2009.

This specification establishes the criteria for water-efficient new homes under EPA’s WaterSense program. When finalized, it will be applicable to newly constructed single-family homes and townhomes, three stories or less in size.

In addition, to meet the Landscape Design Criteria (Section 4.1.1), the builder may choose to comply by completing a water budget. EPA has developed a tool to guide these calculations. The first version of the tool, released on November 20, 2008, was based on methodology developed by the irrigation industry as described in Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Scheduling and Water Management (2005). This second version incorporates additional research and recommendations suggested by stakeholders as part of the public comment process.

The third-party verification of WaterSense labeled new homes is intended to confirm that the builder has met the criteria of EPA’s specification for water-efficient single-family new homes. The inspection and irrigation audit guidelines explains how inspectors verify that the criteria have been met and must be followed in conjunction with the specification. These guidelines have been revised to incorporate revisions to the specification criteria and methods by which they will be tested.

• Revised Draft Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Specification Cover Letter (PDF) (9 pp, 54K, About PDF)

• Revised Draft Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Specification (PDF) (10 pp, 82K, About PDF)

• WaterSense Landscape Water Budget Tool
  
  • Revised WaterSense Water Budget Approach (PDF) (8 pp, 71K, About PDF)

  • Revised WaterSense Landscape Water Budget Tool (MS Excel) (3 pp, 672K)
• Revised Draft Irrigation Audit Guidelines and Irrigation Audit Checklist (PDF) (5 pp, 46K, About PDF)

• Revised Draft WaterSense Labeled New Home
  Inspection Guidelines and Inspection Checklist (PDF) (21 pp, 208K, About PDF)

EPA is interested in obtaining input from all interested parties on the revised draft specification materials. The public comment period is open for 60 days and ends on July 7, 2009. Please send any comments or suggestions regarding the revised draft specification materials to <watersense-newhomes@erg.com>. All comments become a part of the public record.

In order to facilitate the consistency and utility of comments received, please submit your comments using the Template for Public Comment Submission (MS Word) (1 pp, 50K). You may either download and save this document template and directly insert your comments, or attach your comments in your own document, provided that you clearly reference the text/section in question, your recommended changes, and why you think these changes are needed.

Additionally, WaterSense will be conducting a public comment meeting in June 2009. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

For more information about the water-efficient single family new home specification process, including the first draft, public comments, and EPA's response to the public comments of the specification and water budget tool, please see the Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Specification Background Materials page.