Understanding WaterSense
Similar to appliances that carry an Energy Star label for energy efficiency, water fixtures that carry the WaterSense label meet stringent water efficiency and performance criteria set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency.
WaterSense is backed by independent testing and certification, where companies using this label must sign a WaterSense partnership agreement. The agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of WaterSense.
For consumers, this means WaterSense labelled products:
- Perform as well or better than less efficient counterparts; and
- Be about 20 percent more water-efficient than average products in that category.
For more on WaterSense, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.
Understanding UNAR (Unified North American Requirements) Testing
UNAR (Uniform North American Requirements) is a qualifying system that tests High Efficiency Toilets (HETs). This testing combines Maximum Performance (MaP) testing and the Los Angeles Supplementary Purchase Specification (SPS) requirements. Adopting the UNAR criteria will improve the Region of Peel's ability to achieve increased sustainable water savings.
For a toilet model to be considered for qualification as UNAR compliant it must satisfy the following criteria:
- Remove a minimum of 350 grams of test material (MaP testing)
- A maximum flush volume of 6.0 litres, or 4.8 litres for HET models, under maximum adjustment conditions (SPS requirement)
- A mandated chemical resistant flapper (SPS requirement).
To learn more about UNAR testing, please see UNAR Guidelines and Specifications (PDF 2.57 MB, 16 pages).
Los Angeles Supplementary Purchase Specifications (SPS) Requirements
The Los Angeles SPS Requirements are applicable to tank-type gravity fed toilets, tank-type flushometer (pressure-assist) and tank-type electrohydraulic toilets.
For more detaile dinformation, please see SPS Requirements for Ultra-Low-Flush Toilets (PDF 2.57 MB, 10 pages).
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Revised: Friday December 23 2011