Features of a Water Smart Home

Water Smart Homes can save as much as 75,000 gallons of water per year per home compared to a home built a decade ago. The features of a Water Smart Home built as part of this SNWA program include:

Landscapes

• Front yards have water-smart landscaping, including trees, flowers and groundcover
• Backyard has a lawn less than 50 percent of the landscapable area, not exceeding 1,000 square feet
• Living lawns are not permitted in front yards, artificial turf is allowed
• No ornamental water features

Swimming Pools

• Combined pool and spa surface area is deducted from grass allowance
• Pool drain/sewer clean-out port is enclosed and clearly marked for convenient access
• Pools may not feature decorative water features that drop or propel water more than 24 inches above the main water surface

Plumbing and Equipment

• Homes include high-efficiency fixtures such as 1.28 gallon flush toilets, 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) kitchen faucets, 1.5 gpm bathroom faucets and 2.5 gpm shower heads
• When offered, appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, water softeners and water treatment systems must meet minimum program standards
• No evaporative air conditioning systems
• To minimize wait time for hot water, each home includes either a hot water re-circulating system, manifold system or a customized system that delivers less than .5 gallons before a noticeable change in water temperature.
• Indoor and outdoor water pressure is regulated to a maximum of 60 psi using a pressure regulating valve (PRV) downstream of the water meter when necessary.

Irrigation Systems

• Irrigation systems are designed to eliminate runoff
• Separate control zones (valves) are provided for different plant and irrigation types
• Sprinkler heads are used only to water grass and have a four-inch or greater pop-up height
• Drip irrigation systems are required for planter beds and equipped with a pressure regulator, filter, flush end assembly and other components
• Irrigation controllers must meet minimum program standards
• Non-grass areas include a minimum 2-inch layer of mulching material (if used, weed barrier fabric must be permeable to air and water)
• Builder-installed landscaping includes a one-year limited warranty

Community Swimming Pools and Common Landscape Areas

For Water Smart Neighborhoods

• Common area landscapes must meet or exceed landscape design and irrigation standards for homes
• Smart irrigation controllers for all common area landscapes
• Community pools allowed 20 square feet per household or 1,000 square-foot minimum, whichever is larger
• Grass is allowed in functional recreational areas; grass areas must be at least 25 feet in width and length and the sprinkler system must meet a distribution uniformity standard of 65 percent

Technical Standards

Find out what criteria and technical standards determine a Water Smart Home and review the Water Smart Home Program Requirement Summary (PDF).

Emerging Technologies

To keep up with technological advancements and increase water efficiency, the Water Smart Home Program will introduce new requirements for homes inspected on or after January 1, 2009. View a fact sheet (PDF) of the new requirements.

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