EPA seeks WaterSense for Homes inspectors

WASHINGTON — As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalizes its WaterSense specification for single-family new homes, green building inspection and rating organizations are now eligible to partner with WaterSense. EPA has begun licensing certification providers who will coordinate inspection and certification of WaterSense labeled new homes.

The WaterSense label is a simple way for consumers to identify water-efficient products and programs; WaterSense will label new homes that use 20% less water than a typical new home. To ensure homebuyers’ confidence in these quality, water-efficient homes, EPA requires certification by an independent third party to verify that WaterSense labeled new homes meet EPA’s criteria for the label.

Licensed certification providers will hire or contract with inspectors and oversee inspections of new homes, as well as recruit builders and train inspectors using materials provided by WaterSense. Licensed certification providers are the only organizations authorized to issue the WaterSense label certificate for new homes that meet EPA’s final specification, which will be released by the end of this year.

To become an EPA licensed certification provider, organizations must contact an approved program administrator for training on the WaterSense single-family new homes specification and the certification process for WaterSense labeled new homes. RESNET is the first organization to be approved as a program administrator, as more are approved they will be listed on the WaterSense Web site at www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/new_homes.htm.

Additional information about the inspector program is available at www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/lcp.htm or by calling 866/987-7367.