# Presentation: 357230

## Every drop counts.

- Stephanie Tanner
- Federal Environmental Symposium
- June 2, 2008

- Water use intensity (gal/GSF)
- Reduce 2% annually for total of 16% by FY 2015
- FY 2007 baseline
- Implementing Instructions
- Purchasing - where applicable, agencies should:
- Purchase WaterSense® labeled products
- Choose irrigation contractors who are certified through a WaterSense labeled program
- Conduct audits of 10% of facility square footage each year

- Executive Order 13423 Water-Related Goals

**Notes:**
Water use intensity:  gallons per GSF.  Includes industrial and laboratory facilities and surrounding land

EO 13423 Supplemental Guidance:
DOE Supplemental Guidance - Establishing Baseline and Meeting Water Conservation Goals of Executive Order 13423.

## WaterSense Product Evaluation Factors

- WaterSense uses the following factors in determining
- which products to label. Products must:
- Offer equivalent or superior performance
- Be about 20 percent more water-efficient than conventional models
- Realize water savings on a national level
- Provide measurable results
- Achieve water efficiency through several technology options
- Be effectively differentiated by the WaterSense label
- Be independently certified

**Notes:**
From this point forward (with the exception of the following slide), I’m going to specifically focus on the product aspect of the WaterSense Program.  As I mentioned, WaterSense labels product categories so that consumers have a consistent basis for identifying water-efficient products.  A product that is ultimately labeled must:
- For achieving water efficiency through technology options – we want to ensure that we are promoting innovation in the marketplace

## Confidence in WaterSense Labeled Products

- WaterSense labeled products must meet EPA criteria for both water-efficiency *and *performance
- In conjunction with industry, EPA defines measurable performance criteria
- If necessary, EPA works with other organizations to develop performance criteria (e.g., ASME)
- WaterSense labeled products are certified by an accredited independent third-party
- Test products
- Assess manufacturers quality management system
- Conduct periodic surveillance (i.e., audit factories, retest products, police the use of the label)

## WaterSenseAvailable Products and Services

| Program/Product | Status |
| --- | --- |
| Certification Programs for Irrigation Professionals | Five programs labeled, one program under review
469 Professional Partners |
| High-Efficiency Toilets (tank-type) | Specification finalized in January 2007
18 Manufacturing Partners, 177 Labeled toilet models |
| Bathroom Sink Faucets/Faucet Accessories | Specification finalized in October 2007
5 Manufacturing Partners, 62 Labeled faucets or faucet accessories |

##  WaterSense Products in the Forecast

| Product | Status |
| --- | --- |
| Irrigation Control Technologies | Published Notification on Intent on April 19, 2007
Resolving technical issues with stakeholder participation |
| Showerheads | Published Notification of Intent on August 30, 2007
Working on draft specification in coordination with ASME joint harmonization task group |
| Urinals | Published Notification on Intent on May 22, 2008
Resolving technical issues with stakeholder participation |
| Pre-rinse spray valves
Valve-type toilets
Steam sterilizers
Water softening systems
Drip Irrigation | Conducting initial technical and market research |

## WaterSense and Executive Order 13423 

- WaterSense in conjunction with FEMP developed 14 Water-Efficiency BMPs

| Best Management Practices |  |
| --- | --- |
| Water Management Planning | Boiler/Steam Systems |
| Information and Education Programs | Single-Pass Cooling Equipment |
| Distribution System Audits, Leak Detection & Repair | Cooling Tower Management |
| Water-Efficient Landscaping | Commercial Kitchen Equipment |
| Water-Efficient Irrigation | Laboratory/Medical Equipment |
| Toilets and Urinals | Other Water Use |
| Faucets and Showerheads | Alternate Water Sources |

- _[http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/water/water_fedrequire.html](http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/water/water_fedrequire.html)_

## WaterSense and Executive Order 13423

- Typical Office Building
- Potential WaterSense Savings

*4%*

- 22%

- 2%

- 26%

- 10%

- 40%

*8%*

- *Hypothetical savings based on a 20% reduction

**Notes:**
The next two slides present some theoretical case studies of how WaterSense labeled products are anticipated help you achieve water use reduction targets over the next several years.

This slide presents the water balance showing consumption at a typical suburban office building equipped with a cooling tower, and irrigated landscape.  You see that irrigation, sanitary, and cooling tower makeup are the major uses. 

With respect to irrigation, WaterSense has already labeled certification programs for irrigation professionals. These irrigation professional partners have incorporated efficient use of water into their practice.  There are labeled certification programs for irrigation designers, irrigation contractors, and irrigation system auditors. WaterSense is currently developing a specification for weather-based irrigation controllers, and specifications for other irrigation products will follow.  Properly using these products can lead to 20% reduction in irrigation water use, or a 4% reduction in overall facility water use in this case. 

Similarly, WaterSense has a specification for 1.28 gpf tank-type, high efficiency toilets.  A Lavatory faucet spec is being finalized, and specifications for showerheads, flushometer toilets, and urinals are planned.  Once complete, this suite of labeled plumbing product will allow you to reduce your sanitary needs by 20%, or a 8% reduction in overall facility water use in this case. 

So in this case study, use of planned WaterSense labeled products could lead to overall savings of 12% - well on the way to the goal of 16% reduction.  Eliminate that once trough cooling water use and tune up the cooling tower and you’re there!

## WaterSense and Executive Order 13423

- Multi-Building Research Campus – Northwest US
- Potential WaterSense Savings

- *Hypothetical savings based on a 20% reduction

- 30%

- 22%

*6%*

- 8%

*6%*

- 5%

*1%*

- 35%

- **Hypothetical savings based on a 75% reduction

**Notes:**
This is another example based on an actual federal agency research campus in the northeast. The multi –building site has about 500 employees. While sanitary, cooling tower, and irrigation use is similar to the previous example, this facility also has a significant process water component, and a sizable component of flow related to steam sterilizer use. 

As in the last case, anticipated WaterSense labeled products can cut sanitary and irrigation water use each by 20%.  

We are also taking a close look at steam sterilizers. It is not clear at this time if these products will be good candidates for WaterSense labeling. That said, new models that carefully control tempering water use and don’t use water flow through an ejector to generate vacuum can save a significant amount of water, estimated as 75% savings in this case. 

Total percent savings here would be 6% from the sanitary system upgrade, 6% from the sterilizers, and another 1% on irrigation, taking you to 13%.  Gaining a few more percent savings from cooling tower improvements or process water reductions will get this facility to its goal. 

## WaterSenseSummary

- WaterSense:
- Certified water efficiency and performance
- Will address products of interest to facility managers
- Can be an important tool in achieving EO 13423 water reduction goals

## Every drop counts.