November 13, 2006—Looking to expand the water efficiency market, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued its first set of specifications to certify professionals in this field. Under the agency’s WaterSense program, the specifications set technical requirements for certifying landscape irrigation professionals. Certification programs that meet the EPA’s requirements will earn the WaterSense label.
The programs will test for the ability to design, install, maintain, and audit water-efficient landscape irrigation systems, including:
- tailoring systems to the surrounding landscape and local climate conditions;
- selecting equipment, laying out irrigation systems, and setting up proper scheduling; and
- auditing systems that deliver water unequally or inefficiently and recognizing how to improve performance.
The new specifications will allow professionals to become WaterSense partners. Qualified professionals may also use the WaterSense logo to promote their water-efficient landscape and irrigation services to consumers.
WaterSense is a voluntary public-private partnership that identifies and promotes high-performance products and programs that help preserve the nation’s water supply. The WaterSense program seeks to generate support for: consumer use of water-efficient products such as water-saving faucets; certification activities for water industry professionals; and innovation in water-efficient product manufacturing.
