FAR 23.108-1—Water-efficient products.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 23.108-1 is a short informational provision about EPA’s WaterSense® Program and where to find more information on water-efficient products. It explains that WaterSense-labeled products are designed to help users identify items that can reduce water use, energy use, and cost, while still meeting performance expectations. The section also notes that WaterSense products are independently third-party certified and must meet EPA specifications for both water efficiency and performance. In practice, this section serves as a reference point for acquisition personnel and contractors when considering water-efficient products in procurements, especially where sustainability, utility savings, or environmental performance matter. It does not itself impose a detailed procurement procedure, but it supports informed product selection and helps users locate EPA guidance through the cited website.
Key Rules
WaterSense is the reference program
The section identifies EPA’s WaterSense Program as the source for finding water-efficient products. It is intended to make product selection easier for buyers looking for water-saving options.
Labeled products meet EPA specs
WaterSense-labeled products are described as meeting EPA’s specifications for water efficiency and performance. This means the label is not just about reduced water use; it also signals that the product is expected to perform adequately.
Third-party certification applies
The section states that WaterSense-labeled products are backed by independent, third-party certification. Users should treat the label as a verified indicator rather than a self-declared claim by the manufacturer.
Use the EPA resource link
The FAR points readers to EPA’s WaterSense products webpage for additional information. This makes the section a gateway to current product listings, criteria, and program details rather than a standalone technical standard.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Use the WaterSense resource as a reference when specifying or evaluating water-efficient products, especially where sustainability or energy/water savings are relevant. Ensure any product references or requirements are consistent with the current EPA WaterSense program information.
Agency/Requirement Owner
Consider whether water-efficient products are appropriate for the requirement and, if so, incorporate WaterSense-based considerations into specifications, purchase descriptions, or evaluation criteria as allowed by the acquisition strategy.
Contractor
When offering water-efficient products, identify whether the products are WaterSense-labeled and be prepared to support that claim with appropriate certification or product information. Provide products that meet the stated performance and efficiency requirements if WaterSense is referenced in the solicitation or contract.
End User/Technical Representative
Review WaterSense information when selecting or approving products to help ensure the chosen items meet operational needs while reducing water use and related costs.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly informational, but it can influence product selection in procurements involving fixtures, appliances, or other water-using items.
A common pitfall is treating any “water-efficient” marketing claim as equivalent to WaterSense; the FAR specifically points to EPA-labeled products backed by third-party certification.
Because the section relies on an external EPA website, users should verify current product listings and specifications rather than relying on outdated information.
If a solicitation or purchase description references WaterSense, contractors should be ready to show the exact product model is currently labeled and certified.
For contracting staff, the practical value is in using a recognized federal environmental standard to reduce risk, improve performance confidence, and support sustainability goals.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Program. EPA's WaterSense® Program makes it easy to find and select water-efficient products that can save water, energy, and money. WaterSense®-labeled products are backed by independent, third-party certification and meet EPA's specifications for water efficiency and performance. (b) Resource. For additional information on WaterSense® products, see https://www.epa.gov/watersense/watersense-products .