The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will not make updates or changes to the WaterSense^® program specifications, another successful step in IAPMO and its partners’ mission to ensure the program’s long-term viability.

The announcement followed a review as directed by “America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018,” which includes strong language officially authorizing the program in perpetuity. The law required the EPA to “consider for review and revise, if necessary, any WaterSense performance criteria adopted before Jan. 1, 2012.”

“By maintaining the existing WaterSense specifications, EPA is ensuring responsible conservation of our nation’s water supply without adding unnecessary specifications or creating undue burdens on the economy,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

The EPA also announced it will engage with WaterSense stakeholders and the public to ensure that WaterSense products continue to help protect the nation’s water supplies while saving consumers money and performing as well as or better than regular models.

“The industry realizes the importance of the WaterSense program,” said Dain Hansen, IAPMO’s Executive Vice President of Government Relations. “The program has garnered support from manufacturers, environmental advocates, SDOs, associations and professional societies across the country. To know that the program will continue is welcome news and we, along with the industry, will continue to be strong supporting partners of the WaterSense program and the entire EPA.”

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) supports the EPA’s decision to sustain WaterSense Specifications. "PMI applauds the wise decision of the EPA to sustain current WaterSense specifications,” PMI CEO/Executive Director Kerry Stackpole said. “These specifications have enabled PMI members to create high-performing WaterSense faucets, showerheads, toilets and urinals for consumers and businesses across America.

"EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and the entire EPA WaterSense team can take great pride in their comprehensive review and their willingness to engage a broad range of stakeholders to examine and explore critical issues and deliver the best outcome for the specification review," he continued. 

Nearly 30,000 products produced by plumbing manufacturers have received the WaterSense label. These products are certified to be at least 20 percent more water efficient than products meeting the federal water-efficiency standard and to perform as well as or better than regular models. For over a decade, the WaterSense program has received the strong support of more than 2,000 organizations including PMI and its members, water utilities, nonprofits, retailers, distributors, home builders, plumbers and manufacturers.