EPA Grants WaterSense™ Home Certification Organization Approval to Green Builder® Coalition
On August 1, the Green Builder® Coalition was granted Home Certification Organization (HCO) approval into the WaterSense Labeled Homes program. Under Version 2.0 of the WaterSense Labeled Homes program, HCOs are responsible for ensuring all certified homes meet a minimum efficiency threshold.
The Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS)®, owned and operated by the Green Builder® Coalition, has undergone a full technical evaluation by the EPA and a WERS of 66 or lower (utilizing WaterSense baselines), along with a simple mandatory checklist, will enable a project to achieve certification to WaterSense-labeled Homes 2.0. For now, only single-family projects will be eligible for WaterSense certification through the Green Builder® Coalition.
“This is a long-awaited day for the WERS Program,” said Green Builder® Coalition Executive Director Mike Collignon. “Allowing WERS as a dual compliance path within WaterSense is a natural fit, and now individuals and communities alike can utilize our performance-based approach to water efficiency.”
The Green Builder® Coalition will begin accepting WaterSense for Homes projects for certification starting September 1, 2022. WaterSense Home Verifiers can enroll in WERS training at any time. Existing WERS Verifiers would only need to take and pass the WaterSense Homes module to conduct dual verifications.
“EPA is pleased to expand the reach of our program with this new partnership, which will offer builders more choices when certifying WaterSense labeled homes” said Veronica Blette, head of the WaterSense program. “All HCOs must meet a range of EPA criteria for oversight, training, technical efficacy, and much more. The Green Builder® Coalition has demonstrated their commitment to meeting these requirements and WaterSense-labeled homes certified using WERS will deliver the savings and performance people have come to expect from WaterSense.”
About the Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS)®
The WERS Program is a performance-based water rating system that can be used to certify new and existing, single-family and multifamily projects. It can accommodate residential properties that employ rainwater, graywater, stormwater and blackwater reuse systems. It has been implemented in codes, green building programs, a financial incentive and a homebuilder’s marketing program. For more information, please visit www.wers.us.