The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the first products to receive its prestigious WaterSense^SM label for water closet efficiency and performance.

Final WaterSense product specs were released in January 2007 for high-efficiency toilets (HETs). Since April, 44 HETs from six manufacturers have earned the label. To qualify for the WaterSense label, toilets must be independently tested and certified by an EPA-licensed laboratory to use 1.28 gallons per flush or less, and flush 350 grams of media.

The EPA hopes plumbers, contractors and consumers will look for the WaterSense label on showroom floors and retail shelves in the coming months. WaterSense-labeled HETs can be ordered online (from plumbing distributors) right now.  A full list of WaterSense labeled HETs can be found on the program Web site http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/find_het.htm.

WaterSense is in the process of finalizing its next plumbing product specification for high-efficiency bathroom sink faucets and faucet aerators that flow at 1.5 gallons per minute or less.  The specification should be final in October, and WaterSense labeled faucets will be available in early 2008.