The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released drafts of a proposed WaterSense labeling system for irrigation professional certifications and revised specifications for certification programs.

In 2006, EPA established specifications to recognize certification programs for landscape and golf irrigation professionals in three areas:

• system design;
• installation and maintenance; and
• system auditing.

Today, more than 1,400 certified irrigation professionals have become official WaterSense partners, more than two-thirds of whom have been certified by the Irrigation Association (IA).

EPA released a Notice of Intent (NOI) in late 2012 to revise the irrigation partner and professional certification program specifications to address challenges the WaterSense program faces as it continues to grow. Based on public comments on the NOI, the proposed changes are to:

• Create a consolidated set of requirements that complement and streamline each WaterSense program specification and provide a more sustainable framework for program growth.
• Expand the benefits of WaterSense partnership to all professionals certified through WaterSense-labeled programs and phase out the individual partnership designation.

The changes could also allow EPA to expand the types of certification programs that can earn the WaterSense label and extend its benefits to more certified individuals.

“Water-efficient designs, maintenance, installation and audits are crucial to effective commercial and residential irrigation systems and to preserve water supplies,” said John Farner Jr., IA’s government affairs director. “We applaud EPA for its continued promotion of irrigation professionals and look forward to working with WaterSense on the new specifications to promote qualified individuals in the marketplace.”

Comments on the drafts are due Nov. 19 and may be sent via email to watersense-programs@erg.com. EPA will host a public webinar 1 p.m. Eastern Oct. 23 to discuss the materials and answer questions. Click here to register for the webinar.

A summary of the draft changes will be available from the IA in early October. Detailed instructions on how to submit comments and downloadable versions of the draft labeling system, draft specifications and related documents are available on the WaterSense website.