Water-Efficiency Guidance for Federal Agencies
Executive
Order (E.O.) 13423 
requires federal agencies to implement water-efficiency measures,
including the purchase, installation, and implementation of water-efficient
products and practices.
Beginning in fiscal year 2008, agencies must reduce water consumption
intensity, relative to their fiscal year 2007 baseline, through
cost-effective life-cycle measures by 2 percent annually (or 16
percent total) by the end of fiscal year 2015.
The Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality has issued
supplemental
guidance (PDF) (27 pp, 508K, About PDF)
to the instructions for implementing E.O. 13423. Where applicable,
agencies should purchase water-efficient products and services,
including WaterSense labeled products,
and hire contractors who
are certified through a WaterSense labeled program.
This page is designed to assist federal agencies in fulfilling
these requirements. To comply, federal agencies should:
Purchase WaterSense Labeled Products
On average, WaterSense labeled products are 20 percent more water-efficient
than conventional models on the market, and provides equal or superior
performance. All WaterSense labeled products
are tested and certified to meet EPA's efficiency and performance
criteria by an independent, third-party laboratory.
- High-efficiency tank-type toilets:
WaterSense labeled toilets use at least 20 percent less water
than conventional toilets. Each model is tested and certified
for water efficiency and performance. Choosing a WaterSense labeled
toilet can save you more than 700 gallons of water per year per
toilet.
- High-efficiency lavatory
faucets:
WaterSense labeled faucets and faucet accessories use about 30
percent less water than conventional lavatory faucets, and each
model is tested and certified for efficiency and performance.
WaterSense labeled lavatory faucets or faucet accessories, such
as aerators, are intended for installation in private restrooms
such as those found in residences and hotel and hospital guest
rooms. These products can save as much as 300 gallons of water
per faucet per year. In public restrooms, such those in as transportation
facilities, office buildings, food service facilities, and military
facilities, install faucets with a maximum flow rate of 0.5 gallon
per minute as specified by the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) A112.18.1/ Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
B125.1 Plumbing Supply Fittings.
Specify the Purchase of WaterSense Labeled
Products
Incorporate the following procurement language into purchasing
agreements:
Use Contractors Certified Through a
WaterSense Labeled Program
- WaterSense labeled programs
are available for Certified Irrigation Designers, Certified
Irrigation Contractors, Certified Golf Irrigation Auditors, and
Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditors.
- WaterSense irrigation
partners are certified through one or more of the above labeled
programs for their expertise in water-efficient irrigation technology
and techniques.
- WaterSense irrigation
partners can help you design and install a new irrigation
system or audit an existing one to minimize the amount of water
you use, greening your facility in more ways than one.
Incorporate Water Efficiency Best Management
Practices into Facility Operations
- To further help you identify water-efficient products and practices
that will enable you to reduce your water consumption and comply
with E.O. 13423, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal
Energy Management Program (FEMP) and EPA’s WaterSense program
have coordinated to develop 14
best management practices that can be implemented and tailored
to meet your agency and/or facility-specific water efficiency
goals.
Purchase FEMP-Designated Energy-Efficient
Products
- FEMP provides purchasing specifications for many energy -and
water-efficient products not currently covered by WaterSense specifications.
For more information, please visit the FEMP
Energy-Efficient Products Web site .
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