Why does the United States need 

a water efficiency program? 

Water is a finite resource. Between 70 and 75 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, 

but only 1 percent of that is available for human 

use. While both world population and the demand 

for freshwater resources are increasing, supply 

remains constant. Water efficiency helps preserve 

our water supply for future generations. 

Is water supply an issue 

everywhere in the United States? 

There are many markets in the United States that 

already face water shortages, and the number of 

markets facing this issue is projected to grow in 

the future. A Government Accountability Office 

survey of water managers across the country 

showed that at least 36 states were anticipating 

local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 

2013, even under non-drought conditions. Water 

efficiency is a much more cost-effective tool to 

help local markets manage water supply issues 

than developing new sources. 

How can water efficiency help 

local communities? 

Water supply infrastructure is a major cost for most 

local markets across the United States. In 2002, a 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report 

identified a $224 billion gap in planned infrastructure investment as compared to needs. Water efficiency is one key way that local communities can 

help manage their infrastructure needs. 

Which areas of the country 

have the largest water supply 

challenges? 

Water use varies greatly depending on geographic 

location and season, largely as a result of differences in climate. For instance, water use needs 

tend to be higher in the West and Southwest than 

in the East or Midwest. However, water and wastewater infrastructure systems across the country are 

being challenged by population growth and aging 

components. Water efficiency can lessen the stress 

on these systems and extend their useful life. 

Further complicating the issue of water supply and 

availability is the fact that population growth is 

greatest in states that have more limited water 

resources. 

Why did EPA create WaterSense? 

EPA realized that managing water supplies was 

becoming an increasingly important issue to local 

markets around the country. Through this national 

program, local water utilities, product manufacturers, and retailers will work with EPA to encourage 

water-efficient products and practices among consumer and commercial audiences. 

What is the goal of WaterSense? 

The main goal of the program is to decrease 

indoor and outdoor non-agricultural water use 

through more efficient products, services, and 

practices and create a program that helps customers differentiate between products in the marketplace, while ensuring product performance and 

encouraging innovation in manufacturing. 

About the WaterSense® Program 

Questions & Answers 
How will EPA ensure that these 

products work as well as conventional models? 

Performance criteria are a critical component to 

each WaterSense product specification developed. 

Products are required to be independently tested 

and certified to perform to the criteria established 

for each WaterSense labeled product. 

What products are included in the 

WaterSense program? 

Irrigation products and professionals are among 

the first categories in the program, along with 

high-efficiency toilets and faucet products. EPA 

plans to research several options to expand product areas in the future, including additional indoor 

and outdoor home products, as well as commercial 

products. 

How are water-efficient products 

labeled/recognized? 

The WaterSense label differentiates products that 

meet EPA’s criteria for efficiency and performance. 

This label appears on product packaging, on instore displays, and in manufacturer literature and 

Web sites. Furthermore, shoppers can visit 

<www.epa.gov/watersense> to see a registry of 

labeled products. 

How are specifications for 

products being determined? 

For each product under consideration, EPA conducts extensive research to analyze potential specifications. Draft efficiency and performance criteria 

are developed for the specification as an open 

process, and EPA solicits input from stakeholders to 

ensure that the most appropriate criteria are 

selected for each product category before finalizing the specification. 

How does EPA ensure that 

products meet the criteria? 

Products must be independently certified to meet 

or exceed the criteria before they are allowed to 

bear the label or be listed on the WaterSense Web 

site. EPA requires third-party certification by a 

licensed certifying body to ensure conformance 

with the specification. 

What other benefits do 

WaterSense labeled products 

provide? 

It takes a lot of energy to pump, treat, and supply 

water to your home. Using water efficiently not 

only saves energy, but reduces the greenhouse gas 

emissions associated with electricity generation. If 

just 1 percent of American homes remodeled with 

water-efficient fixtures, we could save electricity 

and reduce emissions equal to removing 15,000 

cars from the road for a year. 

How is EPA coordinating with 

local water utilities? 

Local water utilities have been very supportive in 

the development of the program. Many utilities 

already have efforts in place to increase the water 

efficiency of residential and commercial irrigation 

systems. Utilities are encouraged to partner with 

WaterSense and use the program as part of their 

local water efficiency and conservation efforts. 

What more can I do to save water 

for future generations? 

EPA conducts a number of activities to encourage 

consumers and organizations to use less water. 

Information on how to use water efficiently is posted on our Web site, <www.epa.gov/watersense>, 

and available on our fact sheets and other 

publications. 

EPA-832-F-06-009 

(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) · www.epa.gov/watersense · watersense@epa.gov 

July 2007 Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper.