EPA: No Outdoor Water Features
In documentation released earlier this year, the proposed WaterSense® Program for new single-family homes and townhouses (of three stories or less) finds no use for “ornamental water features,” and builders seeking the program’s designation would need to steer clear of them.
In the draft specifications for WaterSense, a voluntary program announced last year to promote efficient use of water, the area on landscape design and features (Section 4.1.4) directly states that, “Builders shall not install or facilitate the installation of ornamental water features.”
An accompanying support statement notes that “ornamental water features” includes “fountains, ponds, waterfalls, man-made streams and other decorative water-related constructions provided solely for aesthetic or beautification purposes.”
“Because these water features serve no functional or practical purpose,” the support statement continues, “their water use is not considered efficient.”
In addition, the WaterSense specifications add the surface areas of pools and spas into the calculations for the amount of turfed area allowed for water-efficiency purposes. The proposal generally limits turf to 40 percent of the landscapable area.
“Under this specification,” according to the supporting statement, “pools are treated as turf to account for their annual evaporation rates and water-use requirements.”
The WaterSense specifications address indoor and outdoor water use, including water-using appliances such as washers and dishwashers. It also estimates water savings for indoor usage under the proposed guidelines.
The supporting statement for the new specifications calculates that reducing turf from 80 percent to 40 percent of a yard would generate a water savings of approximately 25 percent, based on evaluations of watering requirements in various locations throughout the country.
However, the statement adds, “WaterSense has not tried to estimate potential household or national savings associated with the outdoor criteria, due to the variability associated with outdoor water usage across the country.”
The proposed water-feature specification brought a strong response from Dave A. Jones, executive director and chairman of the International Professional Pond Contractors Association (IPPCA).
“We here at the IPPCA are outraged and truly offended by this blatant lack of pursuing and proposing standards,” he states, “that ignore scientific data and promote half-baked and incorrect perception in its place.”
In August, the IPPCA offered a proposed replacement for the outdoor-water-features section, asking that the features be allowed with at least one of these specifications:
• a closed recirculation system;
• sustainable aquatic life;
• support for local wildlife;
• utilization of reclaimed water; or.
• utilization of water from a natural source on a property, where allowed by state or federal law.
The final WaterSense specifications should be available early next year.
Questions about the WaterSense program should be directed to contact John Flowers, Office of Wastewater Management, at (202) 564-0624 or flowers.john@epa.gov.