FALLS CHURCH, VA. (Oct. 25, 2011) – The Irrigation Association applauds the recent
announcement of the WaterSense program’s intent to remove the 40 percent turfgrass
restriction from the single-family new home specification. WaterSense’s announcement
culminates three years of the Irrigation Association’s efforts to remove this option from
the new homes specification.
Released in December 2009, the final specification of the WaterSense single-family new
home labeling program that enabled a new home to qualify for a WaterSense label
contained two options for landscape design: 1) adhere to a water budget tool, or 2)
restrict the use of turfgrass to 40 percent of the landscapable area. With the recent
announcement by WaterSense, the only requirement for builders wishing to be eligible
for this labeling would be to adhere to the water budget tool.