The size of lawns, types of irrigation components and use of ornamental water features are three areas the Environmental Protection Agency is considering as it establishes a WaterSense labeling program to help single-family new home buyers identify residences that use less water.
| TO COMMENT... |
EPA encourages stakeholders to review the draft specification and provide written comments by July 21. Written comments on the draft specification and ideas on a possible future revision to include more storm water management criteria should be directed to watersensenewhomes@erg.com. All comments become a part of the public record. |
Some of the proposed rules are problematic for the green industry, says Andy Smith, the Irrigation Association’s External Affairs Director.
For example, the EPA has developed two options for landscape areas at WaterSense-labeled new homes. Homebuilders must landscape the entire yard so that either:
1). Turf does not exceed 40 percent of the landscapable area; or
2.) The evapotranspiration (ET) limit on the landscapable area doesn’t exceed 60 percent of the reference ET0 for cool-season grass. In addition, the available precipitation for calculation purposes shouldn’t exceed 25 percent of the average annual rainfall amount.
The specification also would prohibit builders from installing ornamental water features on the basis that they "serve no functional or practical purpose." Plus, the irrigation components requirements are flawed and incomplete, Smith says, adding the specs don't even mention soil composition, a vital component in efficient irrigation.
Overall, Smith takes issue with the EPA attempting to create a “50-state prescription” for issues that aren’t problems across the board. Others voiced this concern during a conference call with a coalition made up of various industry associations, including Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), and irrigation and equipment manufacturers.
In addition, the proposed rules make it seem like all types of turf provide the same value, says Kelly Kopp, extension water conservation and turfgrass specialist at Utah State University. “No attention was paid to turf species and what will be appropriate in different parts of the country,” she says. Not to mention, says Tom Delaney, director of government affairs for PLANET, the specs don't allow for advancements like new turf varieties that require less water.
The coalition is drafting a letter to tell the EPA more work needs to be done before it considers making the guidelines final. Many of the guidelines don’t seem to have any link to real situations, says Delaney. “The EPA is supposed to be somewhat of a science-based agency and they haven’t shown us any science or proof of where this information came from,” he says. "Even though this is a voluntary program, putting out information like this that influences people's choices without a scientific basis can be harmful."
Despite the fact that it’s busy season for contractors, Smith encourages all stakeholders to comment. “Issues like this always seem to happen when our members – contractors – are really busy,” he says. “The most important thing any one of them can do is to comment directly or find a copy of a letter than their association or a coalition of associations is sending to the EPA and sign on.”
For the full draft specification, visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/specs/homes.htm.
Heather Wood contributed to this story.