The Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program has released draft guidelines for water-efficient new homes and is inviting public comment through July 21, 2008.  The draft specification and supporting statement is chock full of information about residential water usage and how by having a WaterSense label on your home can save you money!

The WaterSense label program is designed after the successful EPA/DOE Energy Star labeled home program.  Basically, if a builder of a newly constructed single-family home or condominium under 3 stories meets or exceeds certain criteria, the home can be labeled either energy efficient or water efficient.  Comments and input from any interested party is welcome and will become part of the public record.  Comments need to be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Green Dean has already sent his comments and strongly suggests that you do also. 

The biggeat question that Green Dean has is that why wouldn't a builder want to use the technology and products available to attain the WaterSense and EnergyStar labels?  Wouldn't you, as a consumer, want a builder to construct your home to these minimum standards?  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and let the discussion begin!