Making Sense of WaterSense: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Saves You Money

WaterSense is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) certification label for water-efficient plumbing fixtures.

Products that earn the label use at least 20% less water than standard models and must pass independent, third-party performance testing before they can display it.

This guide covers what WaterSense is, which fixtures carry the label, how much each one saves, and when to call Roto-Rooter to handle the upgrade.

What Is WaterSense?

WaterSense is a voluntary program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that helps consumers identify water-efficient products certified to use at least 20% less water than standard models, without sacrificing performance.

Launched in 2006, it works similarly to the Energy Star label: manufacturers opt in, submit products for independent third-party testing, and earn the label only after meeting strict EPA efficiency and performance criteria. No product can carry the label through self-reporting alone.

To qualify, a product must use at least 20% less water than the federal baseline for its category:

• Showerheads: maximum 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) versus the federal standard of 2.5 gpm
• Toilets: maximum 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) versus the federal standard of 1.6 gpf
• Bathroom faucets: maximum 1.5 gpm versus the 2.2 gpm average

Since launch, WaterSense certified products have helped U.S. consumers save over 1.5 trillion gallons of water and more than $32.6 billion on utility bills.

How Does WaterSense Work?

The EPA first develops water efficiency specifications for each product category through a public process. Those specifications set both the efficiency threshold and the performance criteria a product must meet. Once published, any manufacturer can submit a product for evaluation.

The manufacturer submits the product to an EPA-licensed, independent testing laboratory. The lab evaluates the product against WaterSense specifications for its category, measuring both water efficiency and real-world performance.

A showerhead that saves water but delivers a weak, unsatisfying spray will not pass. Neither will a toilet that uses 1.28 gallons per flush but requires a second flush to clear the bowl. Both conditions must be met simultaneously.

If the product passes, the manufacturer signs a partnership agreement with the EPA and earns the right to display the WaterSense label on that specific product.

The process does not end there. The EPA requires annual market surveillance on at least 15% of certified models per category, confirming that products on store shelves continue to meet the standards they were originally tested against.

WaterSense Showerheads

A WaterSense showerhead uses no more than 2.0 gpm at 80 pounds per square inch (PSI) of water pressure, compared to 2.5 gpm for a standard model.

That reduction saves 4 gallons every shower and adds up to 2,700 gallons per household per year.

Because the water heater runs less, the average family also saves more than 330 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power a home for 11 days.

At a national scale, replacing every existing showerhead in the U.S. with a WaterSense-labeled model would save over 260 billion gallons of water annually and avoid roughly $5.4 billion in combined water and energy costs.

WaterSense certification covers four showerhead styles:

• Fixed showerheads: wall-mounted, the most common residential option, available in standard and rain shower configurations.
• Handheld showerheads: include a flexible hose and docking bracket, useful for rinsing, cleaning, and accessibility needs.
• Rain showerheads: mount vertically rather than at a 45-degree angle; EPA updated the WaterSense specification in 2018 specifically to accommodate this style.
• Combo systems: fixed and handheld units paired together; both components must individually meet WaterSense criteria.

Rebates and Upgrade Costs

Many local water utilities offer rebates, vouchers, or bill credits for switching to WaterSense-labeled showerheads. Programs vary by region and can offset or eliminate the cost of the fixture.

Roto-Rooter's experienced plumbing technicians install WaterSense showerheads for both residential and commercial properties, including rain shower systems that require new plumbing connections to the shower arm.

WaterSense Toilets

Toilets are the single largest source of indoor water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30% of average household consumption. The average person flushes a toilet nearly 140,000 times in their lifetime.

At the federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush, those 140,000 flushes add up to roughly 224,000 gallons over a lifetime. A WaterSense toilet cuts that to a maximum of 1.28 gpf, 20% less water per flush, with no trade-off in performance.

Four main toilet types can earn the WaterSense label:

• Single-flush gravity toilets: the most common type, uses tank water weight and bowl design to clear waste at 1.28 gpf.
• Dual-flush toilets: offer a reduced flush mode for liquid waste (typically 0.5 to 1.1 gpf, depending on the model) and a full flush; as of July 2025, the full-flush mode must stay at or below 1.28 gpf to retain the WaterSense label.
• Pressure-assist toilets: use compressed air to push water into the bowl with greater force, a strong option for commercial applications or homes with low water pressure.
• Ultra-high-efficiency toilets (UHETs): go beyond the 1.28 gpf WaterSense threshold, with some models using as little as 0.8 gpf for maximum water savings.

Installation and upgrades

Replacing a toilet is straightforward in most cases. Call Roto-Rooter when the job involves a corroded floor flange, an aging wax seal, deteriorated supply lines, or a commercial property requiring multiple unit replacements.

Our experienced plumbing technicians handle WaterSense toilet installation for both residential homes and large-scale commercial facilities.

Other WaterSense Products

Showerheads and toilets are the highest-impact WaterSense upgrades for most homes, but the program covers a broader range of plumbing fixtures and irrigation products.

Each category has its own EPA-defined efficiency threshold and must pass independent performance testing before earning the label.

Bathroom faucets

WaterSense faucets flow at a maximum of 1.5 gallons per minute, down from the 2.2 gpm average for standard models.

Aerators are also covered under this category and can be installed on existing faucets as a retrofit option, reducing flow without requiring a full fixture replacement. A WaterSense faucet upgrade saves the average household up to 700 gallons per year.

Commercial urinals

WaterSense urinals use 0.5 gallons per flush or less, compared to the federal standard of 1.0 gpf. Older commercial urinals installed before current regulations can use as much as 5.0 gpf, making them one of the most significant water-saving opportunities in commercial facilities.

Schools, restaurants, office buildings, and other high-traffic properties see the largest return on this upgrade.

Irrigation controllers

WaterSense weather-based irrigation controllers adjust watering schedules automatically based on local weather conditions and landscape characteristics.

Overwatering is one of the most common sources of residential and commercial water waste. A WaterSense irrigation controller eliminates fixed-schedule watering and replaces it with demand-based delivery.

WaterSense certified homes

Since 2014, the WaterSense program has extended its certification to new residential construction. A WaterSense-labeled home must use at least 30% less water than a comparable standard new build. To earn the label, the home must include:

• WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures throughout, including toilets, faucets, and showerheads.
• An efficient hot water delivery system that reduces the time and water wasted waiting for hot water at the tap.
• Smart landscape design that limits outdoor water use.
• A leak detection and prevention protocol is built into the home's plumbing design.

How to Identify and Choose WaterSense Products

The WaterSense label appears directly on product packaging. Only EPA-certified products can carry it, so the label itself is the confirmation. No additional research is needed to verify a manufacturer's efficiency claims when the label is present.

For purchases made online or through a contractor, the EPA maintains a searchable product database.

What to look for when choosing a WaterSense fixture

Beyond confirming the label, a few practical factors help narrow down the right product for a given home or facility:

• Flow rate: WaterSense sets the maximum, but some models go further. Showerheads are available down to 1.25 gpm and toilets down to 0.8 gpf for households that want to maximize savings.
• Water pressure compatibility: Homes with lower supply pressure benefit from WaterSense showerheads that include pressure compensation technology, which maintains steady flow even when inlet pressure varies.
• Fixture style and finish: WaterSense covers efficiency and performance, not aesthetics. Certified products are available across a full range of styles, finishes, and price points.
• Dual-flush availability: for toilets, a dual-flush model adds a reduced flush option for liquid waste, typically 0.5 to 1.1 gpf, which lowers the average water use per flush below the 1.28 gpf full-flush ceiling.

How to Maximize Savings Beyond WaterSense Fixtures

WaterSense fixtures reduce water consumption at the source, but a home's overall water efficiency depends on more than the fixtures themselves.

A single leaky toilet flapper, for example, can waste up to 180 gallons per week quietly and without any visible sign of a problem. The tips below work alongside WaterSense upgrades to close the remaining gaps.

Fix leaks promptly

Leaks are the most common source of undetected water waste in residential and commercial properties. Check toilets, faucets, and visible pipe connections regularly.

A toilet that runs intermittently between flushes, a faucet that drips after the handle is closed, or a water bill that spikes without a clear explanation are all signs worth investigating. Call Roto-Rooter to locate and repair leaks that are not accessible or visible without opening walls or floors.

Adjust daily habits

Small behavioral changes compound quickly across a household:

• Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads
• Use a bucket instead of a running hose when washing vehicles
• Water gardens and landscaping early in the morning or in the evening to reduce evaporation loss

Optimize outdoor water use

Outdoor watering accounts for a significant share of residential consumption, particularly in warmer climates:

• Switch to drip irrigation to deliver water directly to plant roots rather than the surrounding soil
• Plant drought-resistant or native species that require less supplemental watering
• Install a WaterSense weather-based irrigation controller to eliminate fixed-schedule overwatering

Monitor your water bill

A sudden or unexplained increase in monthly water costs is one of the earliest indicators of a hidden leak or a malfunctioning fixture. Smart water monitors make this easier by tracking usage in real time and flagging unusual patterns before they become costly.

Review your bill monthly and compare usage against the same period in prior years to establish a reliable baseline.

FAQs About WaterSense

Is WaterSense worth it?

Yes. WaterSense fixtures save the average household thousands of gallons and hundreds of dollars annually, with no meaningful trade-off in performance.

Every product bearing the label has passed independent testing to confirm it performs as well as or better than standard models. Many upgrades are also eligible for local utility rebates that reduce or eliminate the upfront cost, making the return on investment faster than most homeowners expect.

Can I install a WaterSense showerhead or toilet myself?

In most cases, yes. A standard showerhead replacement requires basic tools and no plumbing experience. A toilet swap is more involved but remains a manageable DIY project for most homeowners when the existing flange and supply lines are in good condition.

Call Roto-Rooter when the job involves:

• A corroded or damaged floor flange
• Deteriorated supply lines or shutoff valves
• A rain shower system that requires new plumbing connections
• Multiple fixture replacements across a commercial property
• Any situation where shutting off the water supply reveals additional issues behind the wall or under the floor

Are WaterSense products required by law?

At the federal level, WaterSense is a voluntary program. No manufacturer is required to pursue the label, and no homeowner is required to purchase certified products under federal law.

Several states and municipalities have, however, written WaterSense standards into local plumbing and building codes, making certified fixtures effectively mandatory for new construction or renovation in those areas.

Homeowners and facility managers in Georgia, New York City, Colorado, and similar jurisdictions should confirm local requirements before selecting fixtures for any renovation or new build project.

How does a product earn the WaterSense label?

A manufacturer cannot self-certify. Earning the WaterSense label follows a defined process:

• The manufacturer submits the product to an EPA-recognized, independent testing laboratory.
• The lab tests the product against WaterSense specifications for its category, evaluating both water efficiency and real-world performance.
• The product must use at least 20% less water than the federal baseline for its category and pass all applicable performance criteria.
• If the product passes, the manufacturer signs a partnership agreement with the EPA and earns the right to display the label on that specific product.
• The EPA updates its specifications periodically, and products must continue to meet current criteria to retain the label.

A product that saves water but fails the performance requirements does not earn the label. A showerhead with insufficient spray force, or a toilet that cannot reliably clear waste at the required flush volume, will not pass regardless of how efficient its flow rate is. Both conditions must be met simultaneously.

Why did low-flow fixtures have a bad reputation in the 1990s?

The reputation was earned, but the cause was timing rather than the concept itself.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated that all new toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush and all new showerheads no more than 2.5 gpm, with those standards taking effect in 1994. Manufacturers had very little time to redesign their products from the ground up.

The result was a first generation of low-flow fixtures that met the letter of the law but not the spirit of it.

Toilets frequently required two flushes to clear the bowl, negating the water savings entirely. Showerheads restricted flow by simply narrowing the outlet, producing a weak stream rather than a genuine low-flow experience. The phrase "low-flow" became associated with poor performance rather than efficiency.

WaterSense launched in 2006 specifically to separate that legacy from what modern water-efficient fixtures could actually deliver. By then, manufacturers had over a decade of engineering improvements behind them, and the label existed to prove it.

Is WaterSense going away?

There has been uncertainty around the future of the WaterSense program following discussions about federal budget cuts and EPA restructuring.

As of 2025, WaterSense remains active and operational. The program received statutory protection through the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, which formally authorized it and required the EPA to maintain and update its specifications every six years.

That legal backing gives WaterSense a stronger footing than programs that exist purely through discretionary funding. However, AWIA did not include a dedicated appropriations authorization for WaterSense, meaning its annual funding remains subject to congressional budget decisions.

For homeowners and facility managers, WaterSense-certified products remain valid, rebate programs through local utilities continue to operate independently of federal funding, and the product database at epa.gov/watersense remains accessible.

Does WaterSense help during water restrictions?

Yes. WaterSense fixtures reduce baseline water consumption automatically, so your household uses less water before any restriction requires it.

A home fully upgraded with WaterSense-labeled toilets, showerheads, and faucets can use up to 30% less than a comparable home with standard fixtures, making compliance with usage limits easier from the start.

WaterSense irrigation controllers are especially useful during restrictions. They adjust outdoor watering schedules automatically based on local weather conditions, eliminating the need to manually manage watering windows during restricted periods.

Some municipalities also increase rebate amounts for WaterSense upgrades during active drought declarations. Checking your local utility's program during a restriction period can result in higher savings than at other times of the year.

Make the Switch to WaterSense

WaterSense takes the guesswork out of choosing water-efficient plumbing fixtures. Every certified product saves water, performs as well as or better than a standard model, and is independently verified before it earns the label.

Call Roto-Rooter to install WaterSense showerheads, toilets, and faucets for your home or commercial property. Our experienced plumbing technicians are available 24/7: ${marketPhone}.