Hi all - So, this one has snuck up on me. Working on several commercial/office projects now; helping to specify restroom fixtures. It seems that the EPA WaterSense certification has changed to no longer include sensor-equipped faucets. I can't find a single current model available with the WaterSense label that meets local code for aerator flow rates (< 0.5 GPM). There are a handful that are WaterSense qualified if the aerator is changed to a higher (> 1.0 GPM) flow rate for residential use. Zurn is a brand that offers several options like this. (Example - https://www.zurn.com/media-library/web_documents/pdfs/specsheets/z6913-xl-pdf)
Is this revised language in an addenda that I missed? Thanks in advance!
Dave Hubka
Practice Leader - SustainabilityEUA
LEEDuser Expert
530 thumbs up
May 19, 2023 - 7:30 pm
Hello Brian,
It is my understanding that LEED only requires water closets, urinals, private lavatory faucets, and showerheads to be WaterSense labeled. If the item in question is a 'public lavatory faucet' then you are off the hook and do not need this fixture to include a WaterSense label - assuming this is for the LEED prereq.
Brian Salazar
President, LEED AP, WELL APEntegra Development & Investment, LLC
56 thumbs up
May 22, 2023 - 8:59 am
Thanks Dave - Wish they would make this clearer. Just have a check box in the LEED Form: "Please confirm that the folllowing plumbing fixtures are WaterSense Certified: Yes, No, N/A" and a set of rows with WCs, Urinals, Private Lavs, and Showerheads. It's not clear what's included, available, or necessary w/r/t to documentation.
Soha ElYamany
1 thumbs up
September 14, 2023 - 5:26 am
Hi Do you have any feedback on that ? , specially for the public Faucets .
Brian Salazar
President, LEED AP, WELL APEntegra Development & Investment, LLC
56 thumbs up
September 15, 2023 - 3:14 pm
LEED can't hold fast to a standard that doesn't exist. As far as Water Sense, I think only the fixtures listed on these pages need to be compliant. You can download an Excel files with tabs for each type.
https://lookforwatersense.epa.gov/products/
Soha ElYamany
1 thumbs up
September 20, 2023 - 4:08 am
Thanks alot Brian, I understand what you mean, and thanks for the schedule, but for the Faucets, water sense doesn't seem t o exactly specify between private and public Faucet, so my question here water sense requirements apply to both public and private faucets?
Allen Cornett
Sustainable ConsultantINSPEC Sustainability Group LLC
50 thumbs up
September 20, 2023 - 10:33 am
In January of 2022 I received the response below from LEED Coach regarding WaterSense labeling:
Thank you for contacting GBCI regarding WEp Indoor Water Use Reduction for Project ID #. For LEED v4 projects, it's correct that a WaterSense label is only required for fixtures that were eligible for the label when LEED v4 was published: residential (tank-type) toilets, water-using urinals, private lavatory faucets, showerheads. For urinals, both tank and flush value must be labeled.
For the LEED v4.1 prerequisite, commercial toilet tanks and flushometer valves are additionally required to be WaterSense labeled. Further, any additional fixture types that are eligible for labeling when LEED v4.1 is finalized will also be required to have a WaterSense label for the v4.1 prerequisite.
Brian Salazar
President, LEED AP, WELL APEntegra Development & Investment, LLC
56 thumbs up
September 22, 2023 - 4:16 pm
Looks like all metering-type faucets and kitchenette faucets are out. Thanks!